United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Military Chaplains Faith Balance Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to increase the representation of underrepresented religious faiths among armed forces chaplains.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
National Lottery Act - Establishes a National Lottery Commission (the Commission) to establish and administer a national lottery program. Specifies dates by which ticket sales for the first lottery must begin, and by which the last lottery drawing must occur. Prescribes guidelines under which the Commission is directed to issue regulations for lottery administration. States that lottery tickets shall be sold only by Postal Service employees at U.S. post offices, unless the Commission provides otherwise by regulations. Directs the Commission to provide an application procedure for any persons seeking authority to sell lottery tickets. Prohibits the sale of lottery tickets to persons under 18 years of age. Directs the Commission to design a lottery program which assures that in any fiscal year the costs of prizes and administration do not exceed 45 percent of lottery revenues. Requires that: (1) lottery revenues be used for lottery prizes and administration; (2) 50 percent of the remainder of such revenues be deposited into the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and (3) the remaining 50 percent be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury to reduce the Federal deficit. Prescribes guidelines for the appointment of Commission members, and for their terms of office. Includes the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Health and Human Services among Commission members. Sets guidelines for Commission meetings and staff organization. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress on an annual basis until its termination on June 30, 1993. Treats lottery prizes as taxable income. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) report annually to the Congress and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the transfer of appropriated funds from the general fund of the Treasury into the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and (2) report annually to the Congress regarding the amount of Federal deficit reduction effected under the lottery program. Exempts any lottery conducted under the National Lottery Act from Federal criminal provisions regarding lotteries. Imposes criminal penalties (including fines and imprisonment) for specified violations of this Act. Exempts lotteries conducted under this Act from the Federal proscription against the use of the U.S. mail system for lottery-related purposes. Declares lottery ticket sales under this Act to be a Federal function for the purpose of raising revenue, thereby pre-empting State and local laws regarding such sales. Amends the Social Security Act regarding deposit of lottery revenues in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study of the benefit disparities caused by the 1977 changes in the social security benefit formula. Directs the Secretary to report the results of the study to the Congress and the Congressional Budget Office. Directs the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to report to the Congress that Office's conclusions and recommendations regarding the Secretary's report.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
World War I Veterans' Service Pension Act - Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly pension of $150 to each veteran of World War I who meets specified service requirements. Requires such veteran, if receiving another pension administered by the Veterans Administration (VA), to elect which pension he will receive. Provides for the payment of a monthly pension of $100 to surviving spouses of World War I veterans who meet certain marriage requirements. Requires such surviving spouses to choose between pensions if they are currently receiving another pension through the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Fair Retirement Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the income tax deduction for a spousal individual retirement account to be computed on the basis of the compensation of both spouses. Allows such a deduction in an amount equal to the lesser of: (1) $2,000 or; (2) the sum of such individual's compensation and so much of the compensation of the spouse of such individual as exceeds the individual retirement account deduction of such spouse. Provides for annual cost-of-living adjustments to maximum annual individual retirement account contribution limits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take appropriate action to: (1) enforce U.S. rights under international agreements to which Japan is a party; and (2) obtain the elimination of Japanese acts and policies which deny benefits to the United States under such international agreements and which burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Directs the President, within a specified time, to: (1) report to the Congress and give notice of the actions the President has decided to take to accomplish such objectives; and (2) implement all such actions. Declares that such actions should at least negate the cumulative impact that the elimination or relaxation of the voluntary restraints on Japanese automobile imports will have on the merchandise balance of trade between Japan and the United States. Declares that action taken to accomplish this objective should be directed against competitive Japanese exports, including automobiles, telecommunication products, optical fibers, textiles, and electronic products. Declares action taken to accomplish the major objectives of the resolution should be modified or revoked only if the President determines that such minimum objective has been achieved.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Satellite Television Viewing Rights Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow any person to receive encrypted satellite cable programming decoded for private viewing upon compliance with prices, terms, and conditions established in the marketplace or by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Prohibits any person from: (1) denying the availability of such programming for private viewing; (2) substantially restricting the availability of such programming for private viewing through pricing or other terms or conditions; (3) discriminating in price between different distributors offering comparable distribution services; or (4) requiring a person to purchase or lease decoding equipment from a specific source in order to receive such programming. Directs the FCC, if petitioned, to establish reasonable prices, terms, and conditions for the private viewing of such programming in a market by any person who: (1) has been denied viewing rights for at least ten days; (2) has been offered such rights on terms or conditions which substantially restrict the availability of programming; (3) resides in the franchised area of a cable television system where the operator is the sole source of such programming; or (4) resides outside of the franchised area of a cable system where the price for viewing rights is higher than the price paid by subscribers within the market. Sets forth factors to be considered by the FCC in establishing prices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Panama Canal Commission Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1986 - Authorizes funds to be appropriated from the Panama Canal Commission Fund to the Panama Canal Commission for FY 1986 for operating expenses, including a specified maximum amount for capital outlay. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1986 for increases in employee benefits, for payments to Panama, and for increased fuel costs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Prohibits a Federal agency from procuring by contract any services performed by Federal employees in the competitive service positions of guards, elevator operators, messengers, and custodians if such procurement would: (1) cause the involuntary separation of a preference eligible from any such position; or (2) preclude the performance of any such service by a qualified preference eligible. Provides that neither an involuntary reassignment within the same agency nor an involuntary transfer to another agency shall be considered to be an involuntary separation if such reassignment or transfer is to a vacant position which is the same type, at the same or higher pay, within the same commuting area, and for which the preference eligible is qualified. Allows the procurement of such services by contract: (1) when qualified preference eligibles are not available; and (2) for positions held by employees other than preference eligibles. Requires that any such procurement be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal procurement laws, including specified provisions requiring certain procurements of services from qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind and for other severely handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Prohibits interstate and foreign commerce in any article of fur derived from an animal trapped in a steel jaw leghold trap. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to reward nongovernment informers for information leading to a conviction under this Act. Makes the Secretary, with the assistance of appropriate Federal or State personnel, responsible for enforcing this Act. Empowers enforcement officials to detain, search, and seize suspected merchandise or documents and to make arrests with and without warrants. Subjects seized merchandise to forfeiture.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to repeal the provisions which reduce certain portions of annuity benefits by the dollar amount of the cost-of-living increase in certain monthly insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Permits States to exercise regulatory jurisdiction over intrastate railroad abandonments and discontinuances. Conditions such permission on the existence of specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit States and local governments to provide statements of tax refunds, credits, and offsets to individuals at any time during the calendar year for which such governments make a return, but not later than January 31 of the year following the year of the return. (Current law requires such statements to be furnished in January of the year following the year of the return.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
States that the United States does not recognize any spheres of influence in Europe and repudiates the negative consequences of the Yalta agreements of 1945. Proclaims hope for the self-determination of people subjected to Soviet despotism and expresses solidarity with the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
National Infrastructure Act - Establishes in the Treasury the National Infrastructure Fund. Authorizes appropriations for each of FY 1986 through 1995. Directs amounts in the Fund to be made available to the Secretary of the Treasury to make interest-free repayable grants to States. Establishes within the Fund a separate account to be known as the Sinking Fund Account for deposits by States of grant obligations. Requires the Secretary to invest amounts in the Account in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. Requires the Secretary to maintain separate records of funds in the Account with respect to each grant made under this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress each year from FY 1987 through 2016 on the financial conditions of the Account. Entitles each State to repayable grants, according to a specified population ratio, for FY 1986 through 1995. Specifies terms for payments to States by the Secretary and repayments by States to the Secretary of such grants. Allows the Secretary to adjust the amount of any payment if deemed necessary. Allows States 20 years for repayment of grants, with adjustments made to the Account for each State at such time. Sets forth qualifications for States receiving such grants, including: (1) a contractual agreement by the State that it will establish an infrastructure revolving fund in its treasury to deposit and maintain records of grants received and make interest-free loans to various departments and agencies within the State; (2) terms and length of repayment; (3) specified uses to which grant funds may be applied; and (4) specified prohibited uses of grant funds. Requires a State to make available to the Secretary and the Comptroller General for inspection such records as either may require. Requires annual independent financial audits of grant-participating States to determine compliance with this Act. Allows States to waive such audit requirement in specified circumstances. Allows the Secretary to waive such audit requirement in certain cases. Requires any audits done to be made available to the public within 30 days after being received by the Secretary. Directs the Comptroller General to review the activities of the Secretary and the States to determine compliance under this Act. Requires a State making an interest-free loan under this Act to hold at least one public hearing on the proposed loan, with adequate notice to the public. Requires the Secretary, before June 2 of each year ending before January 1, 1997, to report to the Congress on: (1) the status and operation of the Fund during the prior fiscal year; (2) the amounts made available for each such purpose during the prior fiscal year; and (3) the administration of this Act. Requires, at the end of each fiscal year for which repayable grants are made under this Act, each State government receiving such a grant to submit a report to the Secretary on the amount, purposes, and uses of such grant. Requires the Secretary to determine population (used as a statistic in awarding grants) on the same basis that the Secretary of Commerce determines resident population for general statistical purposes. Requires the Secretary to use population estimates provided by the Secretary of Commerce to determine amounts of repayable grants for each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 to exclude from gross income for Federal income tax purposes the interest on any federally-guaranteed obligation issued to finance a solid waste disposal facility (to the extent that the aggregate of the face amounts of such obligations does not exceed a specified amount) if a State public authority has committed facility development funds, expended such funds, and issued the obligation by specified dates.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Amends the Mutual Security Act of 1954 to add the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives to the list of those who can authorize Members and staff of the House to obtain local currency for foreign travel expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that travel by Members of Congress to the Soviet Union and travel by Soviet leaders to the United States serves the interests of the two nations and that such travel is encouraged.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide a duty on certain ethyl alcohol that is used as a fuel. Provides, under specified circumstances, for a refund of additional duties paid on such alcohol. Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to exclude ethyl alcohol and any mixture containing such alcohol as a product from a beneficiary country (certain Caribbean countries) or from eligibility for duty-free treatment if it has merely been subjected to distillation, denaturing, or blending with other ethyl alcohol within a beneficiary country.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide financial assistance to the Bethune-Cookman College in Volusia County, Florida, to establish the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial Fine Arts Center. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Designates the Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems at the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems at the University of Maryland as the National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Recognizes the pause for the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the celebration of National Flag Day and urges all Americans to participate by reciting the Pledge in unison at a specified time on that day.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the tariff on imported roses. (Makes the U.S. tariff consistent with the tariff imposed by the European Economic Community.)
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1985
United States Mail Cargo Preference Act of 1985 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 to require the Postal Service to contract with U.S. registered vessels for international sea transportation of mail. Requires rate charges for such transportation to comply with the Shipping Act of 1984. Authorizes competitive bidding for such contracts and limits such contracts to a one year duration. Prohibits the Postal Service from contracting with vessels based on cargo container size, unless necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Trade Reorganization Act of 1985 - Establishes the Department of Trade, to be administered by a Secretary of Trade appointed by the President. Directs the Secretary, among other things, to: (1) coordinate U.S. policies for promoting beneficial international trade relationships; (2) negotiate U.S. international trade agreements; (3) protect American industry, agriculture, and labor from unfair or injurious foreign competition; (4) develop trade monitoring systems; (5) develop and implement U.S. policies concerning foreign investments; and (6) administer the U.S. Customs Service and maintain the U.S. tariff schedules. Transfers to the Secretary all functions of the U.S. Trade Representative and of the Secretary of Commerce which relate to international trade and investment and to specified agencies and offices of the Department of Commerce. Transfers to the Department of Trade the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to establish a Trade Policy Committee, chaired by the President, to assist the President in carrying out the functions relating to trade agreements and import relief (replaces an interagency trade organization). Designates the Secretary of Trade as the Vice Chairman and specifies other committee members. Establishes a Trade Negotiating Subcommittee to advise the Secretary on management of international trade and investment. Designates the Secretary of Trade as the President's chief spokesman on trade and requires the Secretary to report directly to the President on all trade policy matters. Sets forth administrative provisions applicable to the Department of Trade. Directs the Secretary to submit a report annually to the President for submission to the Congress on the Department's activities. Provides for the transfer of personnel, assets, records, and funding to correspond with the transfers of functions, offices, and agencies made by this Act. Terminates: (1) the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) the International Trade Administration; (3) the Bureau of Industrial Economics; (4) the Bureau of Economic Analysis; (5) the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration; and (6) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Makes technical and conforming amendments to specified Acts to reflect the executive reorganization made by this Act. Designates the Secretary as the chief representative of the United States for trade negotiation. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report directly to the President and the Congress and to be responsible to both for the administration of trade agreements under this Act and other specified Acts; (2) advise the President and the Congress on matters related to trade agreement programs; and (3) be responsible for specified reports to the Congress and for such other functions as the President may direct.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amerasian Children Relief Act of 1985 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the admission of certain children fathered by U.S. citizens in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, or Kampuchea who have: (1) been released by their mothers for adoption and emigration; and (2) been adopted or will be adopted by U.S. citizens (including certain single parents).
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to compute, and recompute biannually, for each diagnosis-related group a coefficient of variation which reflects the relative statistical distribution, from the mean, of the costs of discharges within that group among different hospitals located throughout the United States. Provides for a prospective payment rate utilizing a blend of national and individual hospital rates based on such coefficient of variation. Eliminates the distinction between rural and urban hospitals recognized under the prospective payment system.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1985
Family Education Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the education expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) at an institution of higher education or a vocational school of a child of the taxpayer, of a child of a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister of the taxpayer, of an individual for whom the taxpayer has been appointed as guardian, or of a descendant of a child of the taxpayer. Limits the amount of such deduction to $1,500 (adjusted for inflation) for each account per calendar year. Provides that no account may have more than one beneficiary and that no individual may be a beneficiary of more than one account. Disallows any deduction for contributions to an education savings account for any beneficiary who has attained the age of 19. Requires any balance in an education savings account to be distributed after the individual for whose benefit the account is established attains age 30. Includes the distributions from an education savings account in the gross income of the payee or distributee except for those amounts distributed or used to pay educational expenses incurred by the individual for whose benefit the account is established. Provides that an education savings account is exempt from taxation except for the tax on unrelated business income. Revokes the tax exemption of the account where the individual for whose benefit the account is established engages in certain prohibited transactions with the account. Imposes a ten percent penalty tax on distributions which are not used for educational expenses. Requires the trustee of an education savings account to file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury on the maintenance of the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to file any required report. Extends the deduction for contributions to an education savings account to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions. Provides that distributions from an education savings account shall not be taken into account in determining support to the extent such distribution is excluded from gross income of the individual for whose benefit the account has been established.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Fair Allocation of Government Fault Act - Directs a State court or a U.S. district court in any civil action brought by a Government employee (including a member of the U.S. armed forces or the National Guard) alleging liability of a Government contractor for harm concerning which the employee is entitled to receive Federal benefits: (1) at the request of any party, to make findings of fact as to the proportion of fault of the United States in causing such harm; and (2) to reduce any judgment of liability rendered against the contractor by the proportion of fault of the United States. Reduces the amount the United States is entitled to be reimbursed through right of subrogation for Federal benefits provided as a result of harm for which a contractor is liable by the proportion of fault of the United States. Prohibits any reduction of a judgment against a contractor in a civil action unless the contractor notifies the U.S. Attorney General, within 90 days after such civil action is filed, that the contractor intends to seek an equitable reduction of liability. Allows the United States 90 days after receipt of such notice to intervene as a party in such action. Sets forth factors to be considered by the court in determining the proportion of fault of the United States. Requires the United States to hold harmless and indemnify a contractor against any liability (for damages arising from personal injury, illness, or death or from damage to, or loss of use of, property) resulting from goods or services supplied pursuant to a Government contract to the extent such liability exceeds the amount of commercial insurance or qualified self-insurance protection the contractor is required to carry under the contract. Prohibits such indemnification of a contractor: (1) if the goods or services supplied under the contract are also sold by the contractor to nongovernmental purchasers for identical application or for nongovernmental use; (2) for liability caused by the gross negligence, willful misconduct, or lack of good faith of any of the directors, officers, or managing officials of the contractor; and (3) for liability resulting from any claim or action against the contractor unless the contractor notifies the contracting agency of such claim or action within a reasonable time. Permits the United States to control or assist in the settlement or defense of any such claim or action which can reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim for indemnification. Requires a contractor seeking indemnification to present a claim to the contracting agency. Allows a contractor aggrieved by the agency's determination to appeal such determination under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. Permits the United States to discharge its indemnification obligation by making direct payments from specified funds to the contractor involved or the third persons to whom the contractor may be liable. Provides that the provisions of the Act shall not apply with respect to any risks against which indemnification may be obtained under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to create any liability of the Government to any person other than to contractors for indemnification.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to permit the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate the use of interstate commerce by a securities broker or dealer in order to effect any transaction in, or sale or purchase of, any Government security or other exempted security.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1985
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a deduction for amounts which are to be used to decommission a nuclear powerplant if the amounts are either: (1) deposited in a Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund; or (2) recorded in an unfunded reserve on the financial books of account of the taxpayer during the taxable year. Provides that the determination of whether the taxpayer uses the Reserve Fund or the unfunded reserve account shall be made by the applicable regulatory body that establishes the taxpayer's rates. Sets limits on the amounts which the taxpayer may pay into the fund or record in the unfunded reserve account. Requires the taxpayer to include in gross income any amount distributed from the Reserve Fund or any unused balance in the unfunded reserve account which is not distributed or used to pay the cost of nuclear decommissioning of a powerplant. Permits an additional deduction for any taxable year for the amount of the nuclear decommissioning costs with respect to which economic performance occurs during such taxable year. Requires the taxpayer to obtain a ruling as to the amount of the deduction allowed for the Reserve Fund or recorded in the unfunded reserve account. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to review, and revise if necessary, such amount at least once during the useful life of the nuclear powerplant. Sets forth rules for the establishment and operation of a Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund or an unfunded reserve account.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Textile and Apparel Trade Enforcement Act of 1985 - Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from a major exporting country to the lesser of an amount equal to 101 percent: (1) of the total quantity of textile products imported from such country if the total had increased by six percent annually (one percent annually for wool products) during 1981 through 1984; or (2) if the United States has an agreement with such country providing for an annual growth rate of less than six percent, of the total quantity of such products from such country imported during 1984. Limits the total quantity of 1985 imports of textiles and textile products from an exporting country to an amount equal to the total quantity of such products imported from such country during 1984 plus: (1) 15 percent of such quantity in the case of a category that is not an import sensitive category; or (2) one percent in the case of an import sensitive category. Provides for changing the classification of a country, except for a Caribbean country, from an exporting country to a major exporting country if the total textile imports from such country equals or exceeds one and one-quarter percent of all textiles imported into the United States. Sets forth a formula for adjusting the growth of textile imports annually. Sets forth certain minimum quantities of textile imports that all countries shall be allowed to export to the United States. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to enforce this Act. Directs the Secretary, within six months of enactment of this Act, to establish an import licensing system under which an importer of textiles will be required to present an import permit as a condition of entry of such textiles. Directs the President to report to the Congress annually on the administration of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide a duty on certain ethyl alcohol that is used as a fuel. Provides, under specified circumstances, for a refund of additional duties paid on such alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to exclude ethyl alcohol and any mixture containing ethyl alcohol which is suitable as a fuel or for creating specified fuel mixtures from eligibility for duty-free treatment merely by its having been subjected to distillation or denaturing within a beneficiary country. Provides for a refund of duties paid on such alcohol or mixture upon proof that such alcohol or mixture was not and can no longer be used as a fuel or to produce the specified fuel mixtures. Allows the Secretary of the Treasury to establish refund procedures. Restricts application of this Act to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption after 15 days since this Act's enactment and before January 1, 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Department of Defense Competitive Procurement Act of 1985 - Prohibits the amount of competitive defense procurements made during a fiscal year from being less than: (1) the applicable percentage for that year; and (2) the amount of all applicable procurements made by the Department of Defense during that year. Prohibits the obligation of funds for the purchase of goods or services in an other-than-competitive procedure if in any fiscal year the amount of competitive defense procurements is less than that required. Defines "competitive defense procurements," "applicable percentage," and "applicable procurements" for purposes of such requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Breast Cancer Treatment Informed Consent Act - Requires any State receiving funds under titles V (Maternal and Child Health Block Grant) or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or under the preventive health service provisions of the Public Health Service Act to require any physician or surgeon licensed to practice medicine in such State to inform any breast cancer patient of alternative methods of treatment for breast cancer before such treatment is begun. Requires that the patients be informed by means of: (1) a standardized written summary in layman's language and in a language understood by the patient of alternative methods of treatment; and (2) an explanation of the treatment options described in such written summary together with the risks associated with each procedure relative to each patient's particular medical circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to allow a retired railroad worker to be employed in any non-railroad employment and still qualify for an annuity, subject to specified deductions, including reduction of certain benefits by $1 for every $2 earned from the last non-railroad employment.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to permit a State plan for medical assistance to provide assistance for outpatient prescribed drugs and other items for individuals who are 65 or older and who are either resident U.S. citizens or resident aliens and who have incomes below a certain level and are not otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the State medical plan, if: (1) the State has in effect a law permitting a licensed pharmacist to substitute a less expensive bioequivalent drug for another drug unless a licensed physician states that such a substitution is medically inappropriate; (2) the State plan provides that the amount of payment will not exceed the cost of the least expensive bioequivalent drug; and (3) the State has in effect a program of utilization review for such drugs. Sets forth requirements governing amounts of payments and copayments. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for informing individuals who are 65 or older and who are entitled to Medicare (title XVIII of such Act) benefits of the benefits available under this Act in States which have elected to have a program of pharmaceutical assistance for the aged pursuant to this Act. Requires the Secretary to promulgate final regulations by September 1, 1985, to provide for State implementation of this Act. Provides that this Act shall apply to medical assistance furnished with respect to outpatient prescribed drugs furnished on or after October 1, 1985. Directs the Secretary to maintain statistical records on State programs of pharmaceutical assistance to the aged to determine the effectiveness and impact of such programs. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the programs when the FY 1987 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services is transmitted to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1985
Tax Fairness for Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the amount of the deduction allowed for the personal exemption from the current amount of $1,000 to $2,000.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Polygraph Protection Act of 1985 - Prohibits any employer from using any lie detector test or examination in the work place, for both pre-employment testing and testing in the course of employment. Requires the Secretary of Labor to prepare and have printed notices setting forth this prohibition. Requires employers to post these notices. Provides for remedies for violations of this Act as found in the Fair Labor Standards Act. Exempts Federal, State, and local employees from the Act's coverage.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1985
Authorizes the States to regulate the interstate transfer of ground and surface water located in the States. Prohibits the invalidation, impairment, or supersedure of any State water transfer law by any Act of Congress.