United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1985
Older Americans Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit elderly or disabled food stamp recipients to use food stamps at restaurants (currently limited to private establishments that contract with the State agency and provide concession-price meals). Permits recipients who are unable to purchase and prepare their own meals to be considered as a separate household regardless of the income level of the caretaker family. Allows an elderly or disabled recipient to deduct as a medical expense the excess costs of a physician-advised special diet. Makes supplemental security income and aid to families with dependent children recipients categorically eligible for food stamps. Makes the monthly medical expense threshold the lesser of $35 or five percent of gross income (currently $35 a month). Raises financial resource ceilings from: (1) $1500 to $2250 for nonelderly households; and (2) $3000 to $3500 for elderly households. Authorizes recipients to maintain separate burial funds of up to $1500. Requires (50 percent reimbursed) outreach programs for the elderly and disabled. Provides for food stamp program and application information to be available at Social Security Administration offices.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1985
Raises the excludable capital expenditure limit on certain small issue industrial development bonds issued in connection with an urban development action grant under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Fair Insurance Coverage Act - Prohibits any insurer from discriminating in an insurance contract against any person because of blindness. Includes within the prohibition refusing to make or negotiate a contract for insurance or giving different treatment with respect to terms, conditions, rates, or benefits because of blindness. Establishes a preference for State actions prior to judicial enforcement under this Act. Authorizes any aggrieved person, in the absence of State actions or jurisdiction, to bring an action under this Act for individual relief. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an action for injunctive relief whenever there is reasonable cause to believe a person is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination or when an individual is aggrieved and an issue of general public importance is raised. Grants the Federal district courts jurisdiction of such actions regardless of the amount in controversy. Allows a court to order monetary, equitable, or other appropriate relief, including punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Directs the President to ensure that no agricultural commodities provided under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 are transported on any vessel owned by South Africa or any citizen or national of South Africa or on any vessel registered under the flag of South Africa.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
National Lottery Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish and operate a national lottery. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress every six months, providing: (1) the total revenues and expenditures of the lottery; and (2) recommendations by the Secretary for any needed changes in this Act. Requires regulations concerning such lottery to be issued within one year after enactment of this Act by the Secretary and operation of such lottery to begin as soon as practicable. Directs the Secretary, upon a certain finding of financial responsibility and general fitness of character, to issue licenses to persons to sell national lottery tickets. Denies the issuance of such licenses to specified classes of people. Sets forth criminal penalties for: (1) the sale of lottery tickets at unauthorized prices; (2) the sale of such tickets to persons under the age of 18; (3) the sale of forged or counterfeit lottery tickets; and (4) fraud with respect to the national lottery. Establishes a National Lottery Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary to invest such portion of the Fund not required to meet current withdrawals. Provides that amounts in the Fund shall be available only for: (1) establishing and operating the national lottery; (2) paying lottery prizes; (3) contributing to the Federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and (4) reducing the principal on the Federal debt. Sets the maximum amount of the Fund to be used for establishment and operational costs of the lottery at ten percent, and the minimum amount to be used for paying lottery prizes at forty percent. Requires not less than forty percent of Fund amounts, in equal shares, to be: (1) deposited in the Federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund; (2) deposited in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund; and (3) used to reduce the principal on the Federal debt. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund for FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1985
Extends the House of Representatives' greetings and best wishes for a successful meeting to the 12th World Festival of Youth and Students to be held in Moscow from July 27 to August 3, 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Older Workers' Employment Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to require pension plans to allow: (1) participation by employees nearing normal retirement age; and (2) benefit accrual by participants to continue past normal retirement age. Amends the Age Disgrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to extend its application to employees who have attained age 70.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Consumer Lease and Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to add Title X, Consumer Lease and Rental Purchase Act. Sets forth findings, purposes, and definitions. Exempts from coverage under this Act: (1) commercial leases and rental purchase agreements primarily for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes or those made with government agencies, instrumentalities, or organizations; and (2) safe deposit box leases. Directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Requires the lessor to disclose in a consumer lease concerning personal property certain specified information, including the total initial payments to the lessor and the total of scheduled payments. Sets forth substantive rights that limit the consumer's liability at early termination or at the end of the lease term. Allows the lessor to base the consumer's liability on the anticipated residual value of the leased property. Presumes the anticipated residual value to be unreasonable, and uncollectable, when it exceeds the actual residual value by more than three times the average payment allocable to a month. Requires a lessor to disclose in a rental purchase agreement specified information, including the amount and timing of payments and a statement as to whether the property is new or used. States that a renegotiation is a new lease or agreement requiring new disclosures. Specifies four events which are not renegotiations. Exempts from the disclosure requirements any extension of a consumer lease or a rental purchase agreement. Requires a recalculation of anticipated residual value of leased property where a consumer lease is extended for more than one month beyond the end of the lease term. Specifies those items which must be contained in an advertisement for a consumer lease or a rental purchase agreement. Grants the Federal Trade Commission primary but not exclusive enforcement authority under this Act. Specifies civil penalties for the failure of a lessor to comply with these provisions. Sets forth the defense available to a lessor in a civil suit. Provides for the liability of assignees. Imposes a fine or prison term for willful and knowing violations of these provisions. Sets forth the relationship of these provisions and State laws. Provides that the laws of a State are preempted by this Act only to the extent that a person is unable to comply with them without violating a provision of this title. Exempts the United States Government, States, and their agencies from civil or criminal penalties under these provisions. Requires an annual report to the Congress concerning the administration of these provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Plan Termination and Reversion Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to revise provisions relating to terminations of single-employer plans and reversions to employers resulting from such terminations. Prohibits mergers and consolidations of pension plans and transfers of plan assets or liabilities if any act or failure to act in accomplishing the merger, consolidation, or transfer violates the fiduciary duty of the employer under specified provisions (which provide that the assets of a plan shall never inure to the benefit of any employer and shall be held for the exclusive purposes of providing benefits to plan participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable administrative expenses of the plan). Sets forth provisions for fiduciary responsibility: (1) for meeting specified requirements relating to distribution of residual assets upon termination of a single-employer plan; and (2) in connection with related plans following single-employer plan terminations. Makes it unlawful for any individual who is a party in interest, as described under specified provisions, in connection with a single-employer plan to exert undue influence on or cause a material misrepresentation to a plan fiduciary, with the intent to initiate or facilitate a plan termination in order to entrench or otherwise protect the status of such individual. Authorizes the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the Corporation) to assess a civil penalty against any person who commits such a violation. Limits the maximum amount of such penalty to five percent of the amount of any distribution from the plan to the employer pursuant to specified provisions. Makes such person also personally liable to make good to any aggrieved participant or beneficiary their losses resulting from such violation. Makes liability for any such violation joint and several. Authorizes the Corporation to seek: (1) injunctions against any act or practice constituting such a violation; or (2) other appropriate equitable relief to redress such violations or to enforce such requirements. Places limitations on distributions of residual assets to employers after single-employer plan terminations. Provides that those residual assets of the plan which are attributable to employee contributions shall be equitably distributed to the employees who made such contributions (or their beneficiaries) in accordance with their rate of contributions, in a specified manner. Provides that the remaining residual assets be available for distribution as follows: (1) 50 percent to participants and beneficiaries as compensation for unpaid constructive cost-of-living increases; and (2) 50 percent to participants who are within five years of normal retirement age under the plan. Provides for adjustments to the amounts of residual assets distributable to participants and beneficiaries through: (1) proration of available assets; (2) reallocation of excess available assets; and (3) adjustment to ensure equitable distribution. Provides that, only after all of the above requirements for distribution of residual assets to participants and beneficiaries have been met, any remaining residual assets shall be distributed to the employer if: (1) such distribution does not contravene any applicable Federal or State law; and (2) the plan has, since its establishment, provided explicitly for such a distribution in these circumstances. Gives plans in effect on the date of enactment of this Act 60 days after such date to contain such an explicit provision. Requires such plans to notify in writing each employee or retiree who qualifies as an interested party of the proposed plan amendment incorporating such provision at least 30 days before its adoption. Sets forth a special rule for distributions to employers in cases of transfers of coverage to other plans. Requires that any other residual assets of the plan, which remain after the above requirements for distribution to participants and beneficiaries are met and which are not distributable to employers because of the above requirements, be distributed to participants and beneficiaries in a specified manner. Directs the Corporation to issue regulations for such distributions of residual assets, including provision of consideration of administrative costs to the plan. Authorizes the Corporation to waive any such requirements, individually or by class, upon its determination that such administrative costs reader the distribution impracticable. Provides for increased availability to employers of residual assets upon certification of business necessity. Provides that a plan termination is a business necessity if it meets the requirements of: (1) a special rule for certain terminations incident to the sale of a business for fair value to an unrelated party; or (2) certain distress requirements. Provides that such distress requirements are met if the plan termination meets the conditions set forth in at least one of the following categories: (1) recent funding waivers; (2) liquidation in bankruptcy proceedings; (3) inability to pay debts and continue in business; and (4) unreasonably burdensome pension costs caused by a declining workforce (but not in the case of substantial layoffs). Precludes a business necessity determination: (1) where the primary purpose is to finance corporate take-overs; or (2) in the case of recently established plans, i.e. plans which have not completed five years. Revises ERISA provisions relating to the termination of single-employer plans to require 60 days' advance written notice to the plan participants and their beneficiaries before the plan administrator files a notice with the Corporation that the plan is to be terminated on a proposed date. Revises IRC provisions relating to plan qualification to set forth a five-year disqualification rule for replacement plans where plan termination is not a business necessity. Makes exceptions to such rule for derivative or successor plans which meet certain conditions. Places various limitations on the availability, after various types of employer reversions (i.e. employer acceptance of residual assets of a terminated plan pursuant to various requirements of this Act), of: (1) funding waivers for replacement plans; and (2) extensions of amortization periods for comparable plans. Requires faster funding for replacement plans after employer reversions. Provides that an alternative minimum funding standard is not available while such plans are subject to such faster funding requirement. Revises IRC provisions (relating to excise taxes in connection with qualified pension, etc., plans) to add an excise tax on reversions to employers upon termination of single-employer plans. Requires the employer to pay such tax in the amount of ten percent of the fair market value of the residual assets so distributed to the employer. Revises ERISA requirements relating to employer securities acquired or held by plans. Provides that, by specified dates and under certain conditions, a plan may not hold: (1) any employer security which is not qualifying employer stock; or (2) any qualifying employer stock to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of employer securities held by the plan exceeds five percent (currently ten percent) of the plan's assets. Provides for regulations requiring plans to divest themselves of 50 percent of their holdings of employer securities and employer real property by a specified deadline (in order to comply with the five percent limitation). Defines "qualifying employer stock" as an employer security which: (1) is stock in the employer; (2) does not constitute, and is not acquired subject to, any bond, debenture, note, or certificate or other evidence of indebtedness; and (3) is not subject to any restriction on marketability or voting power applicable by reason of its acquisition by a plan. Directs the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries to conduct a study of the reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods, for each of the various types of pension plans, which are appropriate for use by enrolled actuaries and others under ERISA and IRC in determining the actuarial status and funding requirements of such plans. Requires the Joint Board, within two years after enactment of this Act, to: (1) complete such study and report, with recommendations, to specified congressional committees; and (2) prescribe by regulation appropriate procedures for determining, for each type of plan, such appropriate actuarial assumptions and methods; and (3) determine such actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of pension plan in accordance with such procedures and publish such assumptions and methods in the Federal Register. Authorizes the Joint Board to: (1) revise by regulation the prescribed procedures; and (2) publish revised reasonable actuarial assumptions and methods for each type of plan. Requires the termination of enrollment of enrolled actuaries if they fail to use such prescribed assumptions and methods. Set forth requirements relating to the voting rights of participants in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to which assets are transferred upon plan termination, under IRC tax qualification requirements and under ERISA transaction rules applicable irrespective of tax qualification status. Allows such transfer of assets only if: (1) the transfer is approved in advance in writing by a majority of the participants in the terminated plan; (2) the assets allocated to each participant are immediately deposited to an account under the ESOP for such participant; and (3) the voting ratio under the ESOP of each participant is not less than the participant's asset ratio under the plan. Makes the amendments made by this Act applicable (except as otherwise provided in this Act) to pension plan terminations with respect to which notices are filed with the Corporation, pursuant to specified ERISA provisions, on or after January 1, 1984. Treats any such notice filed before the date of the enactment of this Act as filed on such date for purposes of specified amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Older Workers' Pension Rights Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code to require pension plans to allow: (1) participation by employees nearing retirement age; and (2) benefit accrual by participants to continue past normal retirement age.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Comprehensive Health Care Improvement Act of 1985 - Title I: Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Part A: Definitions and Standards for Qualified Plans - Sets forth definitions used in this title. Defines a "plan of health coverage" as any plan or combination of plans, including combinations of self-insurance, individual accident and health insurance policies, group accident and health insurance policies, coverage under a nonprofit health service plan, or coverage under a health maintenance organization (HMO) subscriber contract. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards for qualified plans and procedures for the review and certification of plans of health coverage as qualified plans. Provides that a plan shall be certified as an "A" qualified plan if it meets any applicable State requirements with respect to accident and health insurance plans or nonprofit health service plans, and meets or exceeds the following minimum standards: (1) the minimum benefits for a covered individual are equal to at least 80 percent of the covered expenses in excess of an annual deductible not exceeding $150.00 per person; (2) the coverage includes a limitation of $3,000 per person on total annual out-of-pocket expenses for covered expenses; (3) the coverage is subject to a maximum life-time benefit of not less than $250,000 for covered expenses; and (4) the $3,000 limitation (above) and the $250,000 benefit limit (above) are not subject to change or substitution by use of an actuarially equivalent benefit. States that covered expenses are the usual and customary charges of a physician or chiropractor. Defines covered services as the following services and articles: (1) hospital services; (2) professional services for the diagnosis or treatment of injuries, illnesses, or conditions (other than outpatient mental or dental care) which are rendered by a physician or at a physician's direction; (3) drugs requiring a physician's prescription; (4) services of a nursing home for not more than 120 days a year if the services would qualify as reimbursable services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (5) services of a home health agency if the services would qualify as reimbursable services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act; (6) use of radium or other radioactive materials; (7) oxygen; (8) anesthetics; (9) prostheses, other than dental; (10) rental or purchase, as appropriate, of durable medical equipment, but not including eyeglasses and hearing aids; (11) diagnostic X-rays and laboratory tests; (12) oral surgery for partially or completely unerupted impacted teeth, for a tooth root without the extraction of the entire tooth, or for the gums and tissues of the mouth when not performed in connection with the extraction or repair of teeth; (13) services of a physical therapist; (14) transportation provided by a licensed ambulance service to the nearest facility qualified to treat the condition; (15) well baby care; (16) physicians' services for routine checkups and annual physicals when prescribed by a physician; (17) multiphasic screening and other diagnostic testing, within such reasonable limits on the reimbursement required for such services as the Secretary shall prescribe; (18) a second opinion from a physician on all surgical procedures expected to cost a total of $500 or more in physician, laboratory, and hospital fees, but the coverage need not include the repetition of any diagnostic tests for such an opinion; and (19) professional services of a chiropractor. Excludes from coverage: (1) any charge for which benefits are payable under any other type of insurance or compensation; (2) cosmetic surgery; (3) custodial or domiciliary care not qualifying under Medicare; (4) private rooms, except if medically necessary; (5) any part of any charge exceeding the locally prevailing charge; and (6) charges for services rendered by an individual or institution which are not within the individual's or institution's authorized scope of practice. Deems HMOs to be providing an "A" qualified plan. Certifies as a "B" qualified plan a plan which meets the requirements of an "A" plan, except that the annual deductible does not exceed $500 per person. Certifies a plan as a "C" plan if it meets the requirements of an "A" plan, except that the annual deductible does not exceed $1,000 per person. Provides that a plan which provides benefits to persons over age 65 shall be certified as a qualified Medicare supplement plan if it limits annual out-of-pocket expenses to a maximum of $1,000 per person, is designed to complement or supplement Medicare, and provide coverage: (1) of 50 percent of the required Medicare deductibles and copayments; (2) of 80 percent of charges for covered services of an "A" qualified plan not paid under Medicare; and (3) which is not subject to a maximum lifetime benefit of less than $100,000. Directs the Secretary, to the extent feasible, to provide for the review and certification by the insurance commissioner of each State of qualified plans to be offered in the State if the Secretary is provided assurances that such review and certification will comply with the requirements of this Act. States that the sale of plans are in and affect interstate commerce and that in order to properly regulate such sales, it is necessary to regulate such sales in intrastate, as well as interstate, commerce. Requires every plan of health coverage sold to be labelled as "qualified" or "nonqualified" on the front of the policy. Part B: Required Offering of Certain Qualified Plans - Requires each employer employing an average of ten or more employees annually to make available a plan or combination of plans of health coverage which: (1) has been certified as an "A," "B," or supplemental plan; (2) is a qualified convertible plan; and (3) permits coverage of an employee's spouse and children. Defines a "qualified convertible plan" as a plan of health coverage which: (1) permits each enrolled individual to convert the plan to an individual qualified plan without the addition of underwriting restrictions if, for any reason, the individual leaves the group; and (2) permits, in the case of the death of the individual in whose name the contract was issued, other individuals covered under the plan to continue coverage without the addition of underwriting restrictions. Sets forth civil penalties for noncompliance with this part. Excludes from the term "employer," for purposes of this part, a State or any political subdivision of a State. Part C: Offering of Comprehensive Health Insurance and Qualified Medicare Supplement Plans by States - Sets forth definitions used in this part. Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require the establishment and operation of a comprehensive health association in each State and a comprehensive health plan in each State, in accordance with this part of this Act. Defines a "comprehensive health insurance plan" to mean policies of insurance and a contracts of HMO coverage offered by an association through the writing carrier in the State. Defines the "writing carrier" as the insurers and HMOs approved to administer the comprehensive health insurance plan. Provides that each State commission of insurance, consistent with any regulations the Secretary may promulgate: (1) may formulate general policies to advance the purposes of this title; (2) shall supervise the creation of the State comprehensive health association; (3) shall approve the selection of the writing carrier by the association in the State and approve the association's contract with the writing carrier, including the State plan coverage and premiums to be charged; (4) may appoint advisory committees with respect to implementation of this part; (5) shall conduct periodic audits to assure the general accuracy of the financial data submitted by the writing carrier and the association in the State; (6) shall contract with the Federal Government and may contract with any other unit of government to ensure coordination of the State plan of the association with other governmental assistance programs; (7) may undertake, directly or through contracts with other persons, studies or demonstration programs to develop awareness of the benefits provided under this Act, so that residents of the State may best avail themselves of the health care benefits provided hereunder; (8) may contract with insurers and others for administrative services; and (9) may adopt, amend, suspend, and repeal rules as reasonably necessary to carry out and make effective the provisions and purposes of this part. Requires each State to provide for the establishment of a comprehensive health association with membership consisting of all insurers, self-insurers, fraternal beneficiary associations, and HMOs authorized or licensed to do business in the State. Exempts each association from State taxation. Provides for a board of directors of each association. Requires that all members of an association: (1) maintain their membership in the association as a condition of doing accident and health insurance, self-insurance, or HMO business in the State; and (2) enter into a reinsurance contract with the association as required by this part. Exempts members of an association, in the performance of their duties as members, from Federal and State antitrust laws. Authorizes each association to provide for the reinsuring of risks incurred as a result of issuing qualified plans by members of the association. Requires each member which elects to reinsure its risks to determine the categories of coverage it elects to reinsure in the association. Provides that the categories consist of: (1) individual qualified plans, excluding group conversions; (2) group conversions; (3) group qualified plans with fewer than 50 employees or members; and (4) major medical coverage. Requires each association through its comprehensive health insurance plan to offer: (1) policies which provide the benefits of an "A," "B," and "C" qualified plans and of a qualified Medicare supplement plan; and (2) HMO contracts in those areas of the State where an HMO has agreed to make the coverage available and has been selected as a writing carrier. Requires the comprehensive health insurance plan for a State to be open for enrollment by individuals residing in the State, who can enroll by submitting a certificate of eligibility to the writing carrier which certifies the applicant's name, address, age, length of residence, dependents to be insured, and type of coverage desired. Provides that upon certification the individual can enroll in a State's comprehensive health insurance plan by payment of the State plan premium to the writing carrier. Requires each member of an association to share the claims expenses for approved plans and the operating and administrative expenses incurred by the association, pursuant to the terms of the individual reinsurance contracts executed by the association with each member. Sets forth a method to determine each member's share of expenses. Authorizes any member of an association in a State to submit for approval to the State commissioner the policies of accident and health insurance or the HMO contracts which are being proposed to serve in the comprehensive health insurance plan. Authorizes the association to select approved policies and a contract to be the comprehensive health insurance plan based upon the member's proven ability to handle large group accident and health insurance cases, claims paying capacity, and estimate of total charges for plan administration. Requires each writing carrier to: (1) perform all required administrative and claims payment functions; and (2) report monthly to the association and State commissioner. Exempts premiums received by a writing carrier for the comprehensive health insurance plan from State taxation. Requires each association in a State to disseminate information to State residents regarding the existence of the comprehensive health insurance plan and the means of enrollment. Requires each writing carrier to pay an agent's referral fee, in an amount to be determined by the association, to each insurance agent referring an applicant to the State comprehensive health insurance plan, if the application is accepted. Title II: Program of Assistance to States for Assisting Low-Income Individuals to Purchase Comprehensive Health Insurance - Comprehensive Health Insurance Assistance Act of 1983 - Adds a new title XXI to the Social Security Act entitled "Grants to States for Assistance to Low-Income Individuals in the Purchase of Comprehensive Health Insurance." Authorizes appropriations under title XXI to enable each State to provide assistance to low-income individuals in the purchase of comprehensive health insurance under title XXI. Specifies the amount authorized for each fiscal year. Requires the sums made available under this title to be used to make payments to States which have submitted, and had approved by the Secretary, State plans for comprehensive health insurance assistance to low-income individuals. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved plan, from the sums appropriated, an amount equal to 50 percent of the sums expended which are attributable either to assistance under the plan to low-income individuals or to plan administration. Prohibits such amount, during any quarter, from exceeding the product of $1.25 and the State's population. Requires a State plan for comprehensive health insurance assistance to low-income individuals, in order to be approved by the Secretary, to: (1) be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State; (2) provide for financial participation by the State equal to at least 40 percent of the non-Federal share of the expenditures under the plan with respect to which payments that are authorized by title XXI, and provide for financial participation by the State equal to all of such non-Federal share or provide for distribution of funds from Federal or State sources, for carrying out the State plan on an equalization or other basis which will assure that the lack of adequate funds from local sources will not result in a lowering of assistance; (3) provide for the designation of an appropriate State agency to administer the plan; (4) prevent the disclosure of information for purposes not connected with the plan; (5) provide for reports to the Secretary; (6) make assistance available to low-income individuals to purchase plans; (7) establish reasonable standards for determining eligibility for and the extent of assistance; (8) make available the opportunity to apply for assistance to any individual; and (9) grant an opportunity for a fair hearing before a State agency to any individual whose claim for assistance under the plan is denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness. Prohibits payments to a State if, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary finds that a State's plan is not in compliance with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for false statements, misrepresentations, concealments, and conversions made in connection with the application for, sale of, or receipt of benefits under a plan. Authorizes the Secretary to approve a State's Medicaid plan which provides that, in determining the income and resources of a married couple where one spouse is in a skilled nursing or intermediate care facility, there may be disregarded from income and resources such portion thereof as the State determines. Title III: Program of Assistance to States for Assisting Individuals Who Incur Catastrophic Expenses for Health Care - Catastrophic Health Care Expenses Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title XXII entitled "Grants to States for Assistance to Individuals Incurring Catastrophic Expenses for Health Care." Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year to enable each State to furnish medical assistance for catastrophic illness. Requires a State to have submitted and have approved by the Secretary a plan for medical assistance for catastrophic illness. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved plan, from the sums appropriated, an amount equal to 50 percent of the sums expended which are attributable either to payments made under the plan to eligible individuals or to plan administration. Prohibits such amount, during any quarter, from exceeding the product of $0.25 and the States' population. Prohibits payment with respect to expenses: (1) if the charges on which the expenses are based are not reasonable; (2) for inpatient hospital services if the charge exceeds the hospital's customary charge; (3) for health services which were not medically necessary; (4) for services provided by a provider not in compliance with appropriate regulations; (5) for services provided by a hospital or skilled nursing facility if the appropriate utilization review plan is not in effect; or (6) for which a private insurer would be obligated but for a provision in its contract which limits its obligation if an individual is covered under this title. Declares that a State plan for medical assistance for catastrophic illness, in order to be approved by the Secretary, shall: (1) be in effect in all political subdivisions of the State; (2) provide for financial participation by the State equal to at least 40 percent of the non-Federal share of the expenditures under the plan with respect to authorized payments under title XXII, and provide for financial participation by the State equal to all of such non-Federal share or provide for distribution of funds from Federal or State sources, for carrying out the State plan on an equalization or other basis which will assure that the lack of adequate funds from local sources will not result in a lowering of assistance; (3) provide for the designation of an appropriate State agency to administer the plan; (4) prevent the disclosure of information for purposes not connected with the plan; (5) provide for reports to the Secretary; (6) provide for paying at least 90 percent of all qualified expenses annually of an eligible individual and the individual's dependents in excess of the greater of $2,500 (or a lower amount which the State may establish) or the sum of 30 percent of household income under $15,000, plus 40 percent of household income between $15,000 and $25,000, plus 50 percent of household income in excess of $25,000 (or such lower respective percentages, or such higher incomes, as the State may establish); (7) provide for paying 100 percent of all qualified nursing home expenses of an eligible individual and the individual's dependents in excess of 20 percent of household income (or such lower percentage as the State may establish); (8) prohibit charging any premiums, copayments, or deductibles, except as provided above; (9) provide safeguards against excessive charges and the unnecessary utilization of services; (10) establish reasonable standards for determining eligibility for and the extent of assistance; (11) make available the opportunity to apply for assistance to any individual; (12) grant an opportunity to apply before a State agency to any individual whose claim for assistance under the plan is denied or not acted upon with reasonable promptness; (13) seek reimbursement from any legally liable third party; and (14) provide that payment for services shall be made only to providers and beneficiaries. Prohibits payments to a State if, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the Secretary finds that a State's plan is not in compliance with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth definitions used in this title. Defines an "eligible individual" as an individual who incurs an obligation to pay in a consecutive 12-month period: (1) expenses (including dependent's expenses) exceeding the greater of $2,500 (or such lower amount as the State may establish) or 30 percent of household income up to $15,000, plus 40 percent of household income between $15,000 and $25,000, plus 50 percent of household income in excess of $25,000 (or such lower respective percentages of such incomes, or of such higher incomes as the State may establish); or (2) nursing home expenses exceeding 20 percent (or such lower percentage as the State may establish) of household income. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for false statements, misrepresentations, concealments, and conversions made in connection with the application for or right to the assistance provided under this title.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Catastrophic Health Care Expenses Assistance Act of 1985 - Adds a new title to the Social Security Act, "Title XXI: Grants to States for Assistance to Individuals Incurring Catastrophic Expenses for Health Care." Authorizes appropriations to enable States to furnish medical assistance for catastrophic illness under such title. Requires a State plan to: (1) be in effect in all State political subdivisions; and (2) provide for financial participation by the State equal to not less than 40 percent of the non-Federal share of expenditures under the plan with respect to which payments are authorized, and provide for financial participation by the State equal to all of such non-Federal share or provide for distribution of funds from Federal or State sources, for carrying out the State plan, on an equalization basis which will assure that the lack of adequate funds from local sources will not result in lowering the assistance available under the Act. Requires a State plan to provide for paying: (1) at least 90 percent of all qualified expenses of an eligible individual and the eligible individual's dependents in excess of the greater of $2,500 or the sum of 30 percent of household income under $15,000, plus 40 percent of household income between $15,000 and $25,000, plus 50 percent of household income in excess of $25,000 (or such lower respective percentages of such incomes, or of such higher incomes, as the State may establish); and (2) 100 percent of all qualified nursing home expenses in excess of 20 percent (or such lower percentage as the State may establish of household income). Prohibits a State plan from charging any premium, copayments, or deductibles, except as provided in the previous sentence. Requires a plan to provide such methods and procedures relating to the use of, and the payment for, services for which assistance is available under the plan as may be necessary to safeguard against unnecessary use of such services and to assure that payments are not in excess of reasonable charges consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of care. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to pay to a State with an approved plan 75 percent of such sums as are attributable either to payments made to eligible individuals or expenses found by the Secretary to be necessary for the administration of the plan. Prohibits amounts paid to a State from exceeding the product of two dollars and the State's population. Prohibits payments to a State for expenses if: (1) the charges on which the expenses are based are not reasonable; (2) the expenses exceed the hospital's customary charges; (3) incurred for services not medically necessary; (4) the expenses are for services provided by a provider excluded from Medicare or Medicaid participation (titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act); (5) the expenses are for services provided by a hospital or skilled nursing facility not having a utilization review plan meeting the requirements of title XVIII; or (6) the expenses are for services for which a private insurer would have been obligated but for a provision in its contract excluding payment because an individual is eligible under this Act. Prohibits payments to a State not in compliance with the provisions of this Act. Defines an "eligible individual" as any resident of a State who has incurred in any consecutive twelve month period: (1) qualified expenses exceeding the greater of $2,500 or 30 percent of household income up to $15,000, plus 40 percent of household income between $15,000 and $25,000, plus 50 percent of household income in excess of $25,000 (or such lower respective percentages of such incomes, or of such higher incomes, as the State may establish); or (2) qualified nursing home expenses exceeding 20 percent (or such lower percentage as the State may establish) of household income. Defines a "qualified expense" as a charge which is a covered expense and for which no third party is liable. Lists 19 "covered services" which include: hospital services, physicians' services (including routine check-ups and an annual physical), chiropractic services, prescription drugs, physical therapy, ambulance service, well baby care, certain dental care, and certain diagnostic tests. Excludes from coverage: (1) cosmetic surgery; (2) custodial care not qualifying under title XVIII; and (3) private hospital rooms. Defines "dependents," "household income," and "qualified nursing home expense." Sets forth penalties for misrepresentations, fraud, false statements, and concealments made in connection with the provision of services under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1985
Reproductive Health Equity Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Peace Corps Act, the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, and other Federal laws covering armed forces personnel and dependents and Federal employees' health benefits to provide that services related to abortion be made available in the same manner as are other pregnancy-related services under federally funded programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Acid Deposition Control Act of 1985 - Title I: Acid Deposition Control Program - Amends the Clean Air Act to establish an interstate transport and acid precursor reduction program. Designates an acid deposition impact region comprising a long-range transport corridor of 31 States east of the Mississippi and the District of Columbia. Sets forth sulfur dioxide emission reduction standards for such region of ten million tons below 1980 levels by the beginning of 1996. Requires such reduction to be accomplished in two phases, half the reductions to be made by the start of 1991. Directs the Acid Precipitation Task Force to conduct an accelerated research program during the first phase, examining the pattern of effects of atmospheric loading of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1990, the program itself to be completed by the start of 1990. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate the results by the start of FY 1991. Authorizes the Administrator to change the second phase of the reduction program, based upon first-phase research, in any of the following areas: (1) excluding or including States; (2) restricting reallotment of reductions among States; (3) altering individual State targets; and (4) requiring reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions. Requires alterations to be made through public rule-making and after notice to the Congress, demonstrating increased protection. Requires impact region States to reduce their sulfur dioxide emissions in two phases to achieve a rate of no more than 1.2 pounds of sulfur dioxide per million British thermal units (Btus). Grants credits for reductions achieved after 1980 and permits States to reallot reductions among themselves unless otherwise prohibited. Requires State Governors to submit to the Administrator for approval two-phase reduction plans and compliance schedules. Directs the Administrator to establish reduction standards for any major source in noncompliance with its own plan or in a State without an acceptable emissions reduction plan. Requires owners or operators of major sources of sulfur dioxide emissions to submit to the Administrator reduction plans for such emissions if their State does not have an approved plan. States that failure to do so constitutes an emissions violation. Sets forth alternative methods of maintaining emissions limitations in addition to enforceable continuous emission reduction measures if such measures are enforceable by entities and persons other than the State in which the emissions occur: (1) least emissions dispatch to meet electric generating demand at existing generating capacity; (2) retirement of major stationary sources at an earlier than provided for date; (3) investments in energy conservation where emission reductions can be identified with such investments; (4) trading of emission reduction requirements and actual reductions through emission reduction banks or brokerage institutions; (5) precombustion cleaning of fuels; and (6) fuel substitution. Directs the President and the Secretary of State to negotiate emissions reductions with the Governments of Canada and Mexico to protect U.S. air from pollution from foreign sources. Directs the President to report periodically to the Congress on progress made. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress within four years on a study of long-range transport of pollutant problems in the remaining States. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Directs the Administrator to report to the Congress on the emission limitation and enforceable measures adopted by the States or major stationary sources and approved by the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to develop and report to the Congress within four years on an inventory of sources of oxides of nitrogen in the impact region, control methods, and recommendations for emissions standards.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Designates the period of October 1, 1985, through September 30, 1986, as the time to reflect on the achievements of the Peace Corps during its 25 years and on ways such programs might be used in the future. Authorizes and requests the President to proclaim this period as a time to honor Peace Corps volunteers and reaffirm the Nation's commitment to such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
United States Trustees Act of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to Title 28 of the United States Code - Revises and increases (from ten to 12) the groups of judicial districts to which a U.S. trustee is assigned to perform specified duties in bankruptcy cases. Reduces the U.S. trustee term of office from seven years to four years. Removes the 90-day limitation on the appointment of acting U.S. trustees. Extends the authorities of U.S. trustees to include: (1) monitoring applications for fees and expenses; (2) monitoring reorganization plans and disclosure statements; (3) taking action to insure that all statutorily required reports are filed by debtors; (4) monitoring creditors' committees; (5) notifying and assisting the U.S. attorney if violations of criminal laws are discovered; and (6) monitoring applications filed to employ professional persons. Allows U.S. trustees to file comment with the court on such matters. Increases the salaries of U.S. trustees from GS-16 to level IV of the Executive Schedule. Establishes in the Treasury the United States Trustee System Fund for the operations of the trustees, including salaries and related benefits. Provides for the deposit of specified bankruptcy fees in the Fund. Requires the Attorney General to report to the Congress on the deposits and expenditures of such Fund not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations as necessary to supplement deposited amounts. Repeals the authority of the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to name members to the panel of private trustees. Increases the fee (from $60 to $75) to commence bankruptcy cases concerning liquidation and individual debt. Establishes a filing fee for reorganization cases equal to $5,000 or a specified percentage of the debtor's assets. Title II: Amendments to Title 11 of the United States Code - Authorizes the bankruptcy court in involuntary liquidation cases to order the U.S. trustee to appoint an interim trustee (currently, the court makes such an appointment). Declares that a U.S. trustee for the judicial district in which a case is pending is eligible to serve as trustee in such case. Authorizes the U.S. trustee (in lieu of the court) to determine appropriate bond amounts for a person chosen to serve as trustee for certain proceedings. Prohibits the court from removing a U.S. trustee. Empowers the U.S. trustee to remove a trustee for cause. Prohibits compensation for services or reimbursement of expenses of U.S. trustees or standing trustees in individual bankruptcy cases. Requires, in cases where the U.S. trustee is due compensation, that such amount be paid into the Treasury. Transfers, in liquidation cases, the following authorities from the court to U.S. trustees: (1) authority to convene and preside at meetings of creditors and equity security holders; (2) authority to appoint interim trustees; and (3) authority to appoint successor trustees. Requires trustees in liquidation cases to file a final account of the administration of the estate with the court and the U.S. trustee. (Currently, trustees are required to file such an account with the court). Authorizes creditors' committees to consult with the U.S. trustee in connection with estate administration. Includes U.S. trustees in discharge proceedings. Transfers, in reorganization cases, the following authorities from the court to U.S. trustees: (1) authority to appoint creditors' and equity security holders' committees; (2) authority to appoint trustees or examiners; and (3) authority to appoint trustees in railroad reorganization cases. Repeals provisions concerning the U.S. trustee pilot program. Title III: Transition and Conforming Provisions - Terminates the term of office of incumbent U.S. trustees: (1) two years after the expiration date of such term; or (2) four years after the effective date of this Act, whichever occurs first. Clarifies the scope of authority of such trustees and fixes their salaries.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Improved Standards for Laboratory Animals Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the humane standards for animals transported in commerce. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. Requires each research facility to establish an institutional animal study committee with sufficient expertise to assess the appropriateness of animal care and treatment in experimental research. Requires the committee at each facility to: (1) inspect at least semiannually all animal study areas and animal areas and animal facilities at the research facility; (2) file an inspection certification report of each inspection at the research facility; (3) notify the administrative representative of the research facility of any deficiencies; and (4) notify the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the funding Federal agency if such deficiencies remain uncorrected. Requires each research facility to provide for annual training in the humane treatment of animals for scientists, animal technicians, and other personnel involved with animal care and treatment in such facility. Directs the Secretary to establish an information service at the National Agricultural library to provide information on improved methods of animal experimentation, including: (1) employee training; (2) preventing unnecessary duplication of animal experimentation; (3) reducing or replacing animal use; and (4) minimizing pain and distress. Requires funding Federal agencies to revoke Federal support for a project if it is determined that conditions of animal care, treatment, or practice in a particular project have not been in compliance with standards promulgated under this Act. Requires the Secretary to inspect each research facility at least once each year. Requires such follow-up inspections as may be necessary until all deficiencies which may be found are corrected. Imposes penalties for the release of any confidential information or trade secrets by any member of an institutional animal committee. Increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Designates August 14, 1985, as Social Security Day and the week of August 11 through August 17, 1985, as Social Security Week. Authorizes and requests the President to commemorate August 14, 1985, as the 50th anniversary of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that no tax reforms or revisions should be enacted that reduce or limit current tax benefits to employers or employees for employee health care, life insurance, education assistance, group legal services, unemployment insurance and compensation, workers' compensation and disability programs, and pension benefits. Declares that the House reaffirms its commitment to provide vital life support programs through tax exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require: (1) each State agency to submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a statistically reliable sample of cases for purposes of quality control review; (2) the Secretary to analyze such information and notify the State agency of its error rate; and (3) the State agency to develop, submit to the Secretary, and implement a corrective action plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) waive the requirement of a corrective action plan where a State's error rate has been consistently below the "target" error rate; (2) establish corrective action plan criteria; (3) monitor the implementation of any such plans; and (4) reduce a State's federally funded share of administrative costs if its error rate exceeds "target" rates. Provides with regard to such financial sanctions that: (1) the Secretary may waive such sanctions based on a State's good faith effort to reduce its error rate; (2) sanctions shall be reduced by the amount of collections from allotments to ineligible households or from overissuances to eligible households; and (3) the Secretary waive such sanctions if a State spends the sanction amount on implementation of a corrective action plan. Sets (fiscal year) error rate tolerance levels at five percent adjusted by specified socio-economic factors. Imposes a one-year moratorium on sanctionable food stamp program errors, and a 90-day moratorium on administrative errors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of client errors and broader performance measures; and (2) report to the Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present gold medals to Jan Scruggs, Robert Doubek, and Jack Wheeler, in recognition of their tireless efforts to give the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Nation. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to sell bronze duplicates of the medal. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Prohibits any person from mining or using any natural resource situated in or originating from Namibia or otherwise removing any natural resource from Namibia without the permission of the United Nations Council for Namibia. Provides for enforcement of such prohibition. Directs the President to try to persuade other governments to adopt restrictions on activities affecting natural resources situated in or originating from Namibia until Namibia has achieved internationally recognized independence. Terminates this Act if: (1) the President certifies that Namibia has achieved internationally recognized independence and that legal authority for Namibia has been transferred from the United Nations Council for Namibia to the lawful government of Namibia; (2) the President submits that certification to the Congress; and (3) a law or joint resolution is enacted approving such certification. Declares that it is U.S. policy that any U.S. person that is sued for damages as provided in a specified United Nations decree relating to the protection of the natural resources of Namibia will receive no aid from the United States in defending against such suit and will receive no compensation from the United States for damages assessed or paid on account of such liability.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Family Economic Security Act of 1985 - Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require each State to have in operation at any time and to carry out either a work incentive program under part C (Work Incentive Program) of title IV or an employment program demonstration project under part A (General Provisions) of title XI of such Act. Repeals time restriction limitations on demonstration projects. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make annual grants to each State to carry out special programs, projects, and experiments designed to reduce the dependency of AFDC individuals and families, including: (1) supported work programs for long-term adult AFDC recipients; (2) work experiments aimed at easing the transition to jobs in the private sector; and (3) other programs, projects, and experiments designed to reduce AFDC dependency. Provides that grants shall be made only on the basis of a plan submitted to the Secretary by a State and approved by the Secretary. Provides that a grant shall be in an amount ranging from two to seven percent of a State's Federal share under part A of title IV or title XI. Requires reports concerning such grants from a State to the Secretary. Permits a State to transfer up to ten percent of its grant for use in carrying out programs to prevent teenage pregnancies and to assist pregnant individuals and mothers of young children in achieving self-sufficiency. Requires a State to make monthly payments to each family with dependent children in an amount determined by subtracting, after the application of resource and disregard provisions, the family's monthly income from its monthly cash needs standard (equal to one-twelfth of the annual cash needs standard) or from its monthly payment standard (equal to one-twelfth of the annual payment standard). Requires a State to establish for any family with dependent children: (1) an annual cash needs standard; and (2) an annual payment standard specifying the amount of AFDC that the family would receive monthly under AFDC if it had no other income. Requires that, in the case of a family with no income other than AFDC (and reducing such income only by the applicable standard deduction specified by the Food Stamp Act of 1977), each of such standards when added to the total monthly allotments of food stamp coupons equal an amount that places the family at no less than a specified percentage of the poverty level. Provides that such percentage shall be 55 percent for 1986 and rise to 70 percent by 1991. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine the poverty level for each State. Provides for increases in the Federal AFDC contribution to States increasing AFDC benefits. Revises provisions relating to dependent children of unemployed parents. Requires a State to make AFDC payments with respect to dependent children in two-parent families not otherwise eligible. Authorizes a State, with respect to making such payments, to establish appropriate work requirements and related registration and training requirements. Requires State plans to provide that at least one such parent: (1) register for manpower services, training, and employment, if either parent is required to register; and (2) participate in some State job search, training, or work program. Sets forth requirements relating to the provision day care and the payment of the minimum wage. Provides that the Federal AFDC matching rate shall be 75 percent with respect to families that include one or more dependent children. Directs the Secretary to make grants to assist States and localities to establish and carry out programs to: (1) reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies in AFDC families; and (2) help pregnant individuals and mothers of young children in such families, who might otherwise become long-term AFDC recipients, to achieve self sufficiency. Requires applications to be submitted for such grants. Sets forth program objectives and requirements. Provides that a grant shall be in an amount equal to two percent of a State's Federal share under part A of title IV or title XI. Requires reports concerning such grants from a State to the Secretary. Permits a State to transfer up to ten percent of its grant for use in encouraging programs to reduce welfare dependency. Authorizes appropriations. Redefines the term "aid to families with dependent children" so as to include a pregnant woman in any case where the child would be eligible for AFDC in the month of payment if such child had been born and was living with the mother in that month. Disregards the first $100 of unearned income, including payment of benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of such Act, unemployment benefits, and child support payments. Requires a State to periodically reevaluate its AFDC needs standards. Requires a State to provide Medicaid eligibility for one year to an AFDC family following the family's removal from the State's AFDC plan. Permits a State to provide an additional year of Medicaid eligibility. Increases the amount of assets which a family may possess and still receive AFDC. Directs the Secretary to prescribe the type and allowable amounts of resources a family may own while eligible for AFDC. Prohibits including as such resources a home, burial plots, certain real property, and certain licensed vehicles. Revises AFDC earned income disregards. Excludes the first $100 and one-fourth of other earnings. Limits the monthly child care disregard to $320 for a family. Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify all recipients of and applicants for benefits under title II of the Act of the availability of the supplemental security income program (title XVI of the Social Security Act); (2) notify all recipients of and applicants for SSI or AFDC of the availability of food stamps; (3) notify unemployment compensation benefit recipients of the availability of AFDC; and (4) notify food stamp recipients of the availability of AFDC. Increases the SSI benefit. Prohibits the reduction in OASDI widow's and widower's benefits which may occur after a beneficiary attains age 80. Provides for a Federal matching rate of 30 percent for SSI State supplementary payment increases made after May 22, 1985. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for an increase in the earned income credit; (2) provide for the disregard of any needs-based governmental benefit in determining support and maintenance of a household; (3) provide for the disregard of any refund of Federal income taxes made because of the earned income credit for purposes of determining eligibility for or the amount of benefits under any Federal or State program which receives Federal funds; (4) provide for cost-of-living adjustments in the earned income credit; (5) extend and increase the targeted jobs credit; (6) include food stamp recipients as members of targeted groups; and (7) provide for an increase in the zero bracket amount for heads of households for taxable years beginning after 1985. Requires a State's Medicaid plan to cover SSI recipents.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Prohibits the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution from using any Smithsonian Institution funds to make, directly or indirectly: (1) any extension of credit to the Government of South Africa; (2) any extension of credit to, or investment in, any corporation or other business enterprise that is owned (in whole or part) or controlled by the Government of South Africa; and (3) any extension of credit or investment in South Africa. Requires the Board, within one year after the effective date of this Act, to liquidate any such extensions of credit or investments which are in existence on such date. Makes such requirement inapplicable to any extension of credit or investment for which a contract or other legally binding agreement is entered into before the effective date of this Act. Terminates such prohibition and requirements imposed by this Act upon approval by law of any report submitted to the Congress by the Board which contains a determination that the abolition of apartheid has taken place in South Africa and the reasons for such determination.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new title XII, University-High School Partnerships. (Redesignates the current title XII as title XIII.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for the new title XII, to encourage partnerships between institutions of higher education and secondary schools serving low-income students in order to support programs that: (1) improve the academic skills of secondary school students; (2) increase their opportunity to continue a program of education after high school; and (3) improve their prospects of employment after high school. Requires, for purposes of eligibility for a title XII grant, an institution of higher education and a local education agency to enter into a written partnership agreement. Allows the partnership to include businesses, labor organizations, professional associations, community-based organizations, or other private or public agencies or associations. Requires all partners to sign the agreement. Requires the agreement to include a listing of all participants in the partnership, a description of their responsibilities, and a listing of the resources to be contributed by them. Directs the Secretary of Education to reserve 65 percent of title XII funds for programs operating during the regular school year and 35 percent for summer programs. Limits the amount of such a grant to between $250,000 to $1,000,000. Allows the partnership to use the grant for programs that use college students to tutor high school students and that improve high school students' basic academic skills, their understanding of specified subjects, opportunity to continue a program of education after graduation, and their prospects for employment after graduation. Directs the Secretary, in making such grants, to give preference to: (1) programs which will serve predominantly low-income communities; (2) partnerships which will run programs during the regular school year and the summer; and (3) programs which will serve educationally disadvantaged students, potential dropouts, pregnant adolescent and teen parents, or the gifted and talented. Sets forth grant application requirements. Limits the Federal share of the cost of the project to no more than 70 percent in the first year, 60 percent in the second year, and 50 percent in the third year and any subsequent year.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Even Start Act - Establishes a pilot program to combine adult basic education for parents and school readiness training for children into a single educational program. Requires that funds made available to a grant recipient under this Act be used to provide a program of adult literacy training which includes as a major component involving parents and children together to enhance the likelihood of educational achievement. Requires that each such program receiving a grant include the following elements: (1) identifying and recruiting eligible participants; (2) screening and preparing parents and children for participation (including testing, referral to necessary counseling, and related services); (3) designing programs and providing support services to suit the participants' work and other responsibilities (including child care, transportation, and scheduling and locating services to allow joint participation by parents and children); (4) establishing instruction programs that promote adult literacy, equip parents to support the education and growth of their children, and prepare children for success in regular school program; and (5) providing and monitoring integrated instructional services to participants through home-based programs. Makes eligible for participation in such programs families that: (1) include a parent eligible to participate in an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act; and (2) reside, with a child aged four or five, in a school attendance area designated for receipt of funds under chapter 1 (Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Disadvantaged Children) of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981 (ECIA). Makes eligible to apply for such program grants any agency, organization, or institution that operates an adult basic education program under the Adult Education Act and that serves an area: (1) in which the unemployment rate exceeds the national average; and (2) at least 75 percent of which is comprised of school attendance areas designated for receipt of funds under chapter 1 of ECIA. Sets forth grant application requirements, including: (1) a demonstration that the applicant can coordinate programs under the Adult Education Act with program under chapter 1 of ECIA, with other related programs such as health care, nutrition, child abuse, and substance abuse control and with State and local educational agencies; (2) a statement of methods to be used to provide program services for those most in need of them and for special populations, such as the handicapped and those with limited English proficiency; and (3) a demonstration that the applicant has qualified personnel to provide staff training and preparation. Directs the Secretary of Education to select 15 to 20 applications for final review, with two-thirds of these from urban areas and one-third from rural areas. Provides that three of these applications shall be selected for receipt of funds by a review panel composed of the Secretary, and specified members of State and local directors of programs under chapter 1 of ECIA and the Adult Education Act, chief State school officers, and representatives from a local Parent-Teacher Association and from institutions of higher education with training, respectively, in early childhood education and in adult literacy training. Sets forth program agreement requirements, including: (1) participant enrollment for at least 12 months; and (2) grant recipient provision of at least 25 percent of program costs for the third year of operation, 50 percent for the fourth year, and continued program operation after the expiration of assistance under this Act, if the program has been demonstrated to be effective. Sets forth requirements for evaluation and dissemination of results of such pilot projects. Requires that the results of such evaluation be submitted by the end of FY 1992 to the national diffusion network for possible dissemination. Directs the Secretary, in order to carry out this Act, to reserve specified amounts from FY 1987 through 1991 funds which would otherwise be available for: (1) grants to States for adult basic education and adult education programs to be carried out by local educational agencies and private nonprofit agencies; and (2) evaluation and studies under chapter 1 of ECIA. Provides that such requirement shall not apply to funds appropriated before the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for therapeutic shoes for individuals with severe diabetic foot disease, if the shoes are prescribed by a physician and fitted and furnished by a certified orthotist. Limits such coverage to one pair of shoes annually and $375 annually.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Fairness in Alcohol Advertising Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any radio or television licensee from broadcasting any alcoholic beverage advertisement unless equivalent time is made available for the broadcasting by responsible spokespersons of programming regarding the adverse effects of alcoholic beverage consumption and misuse. Provides that such programming shall not be taken into account in determining the extent to which any broadcast station is operating in the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Requires a cable system operator to meet such an equal time requirement with respect to alcoholic beverage advertisements on programming subject to such operator's editorial control.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable income tax credit for: (1) employment related dependent care expenses, plus (2) expenses for the respite care of a dependent. Sets the amount of such credit at 50 percent of the sum of such expenses. Reduces such percentage (but not below 20 percent) by one percent for each full $1,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $11,000. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such adjusted gross income amount. Limits the amount of employment-related expenses and respite care expenses which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Allows such credit for expenses incurred for the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is under the age of 15; (2) a dependent of the taxpayer who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself; or (3) a spouse who is incapable of caring for himself. Repeals present provisions relating to the income tax credit for dependent care expenses necessary for gainful employment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Tenant Credit Reporting Act - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to include within the definition of "consumer report" any information received from a consumer reporting agency for the purpose of establishing a consumer's eligibility for rental of any property as a principal place of residence. Permits the use of information obtained from a consumer reporting agency in connection with the rental of any property by the consumer as a principal place of residence. Sets forth information which may not be included in any such consumer report, including the consumer's involvement with tenants organizations, any safety or sanitation complaints, any rent abatements, or unadjudicated landlord complaints. Requires a consumer reporting agency that records and retains any information regarding an adverse rental action to make a clear and accurate disclosure to the consumer involved. Sets forth information which a consumer reporting agency must disclose to a consumer when the agency furnishes a report to a person in connection with the consumer's rental of any property as a principal place of residence. Requires the user of a consumer report that results in an adverse rental action to inform the consumer of the name and address of the consumer reporting agency making the report.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Permits the Archivist of the United States to make available for public use all records of the Select Committee on Assassinations of the 94th and 95th Congresses other than those voted to be kept secret or confidential. Requires the guidelines governing disclosure of such records to be those used by the General Services Administration for the records of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) State constitutions and county and city charters should reflect the right of pretrial detainees, convicted misdemeanants, and persons appealing convictions to register and to vote; (2) all registrars should provide adequate voter registration and voting accessibility (voting booths and absentee ballots) to such persons; (3) parole and probation boards consider the rehabilitative value of voting in probation and parole determinations; and (4) voter education for such persons be encouraged.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1985
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that a specified prohibition against certification of labor organizations representing both "guards" and other employees, for collective bargaining unit purposes, is to be applied only in the case of "plant guards."
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for anesthesia services and related care provided by a registered nurse anesthetist.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1985
Economic Equity Act of 1985 - Title I: Retirement - Pension Vesting, Integration, and Portability Act of 1985 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to revise provisions relating to maximum age conditions under pension plans to provide for continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age. Provides that pension plans may only exclude from participation, on the basis of age, an employee who has attained the normal retirement age under the plan if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan or a target benefit plan (as under current law); and (2) the employee's accrued benefit under the plan is greater than the normal retirement benefit to which the employee would be entitled at the normal retirement age if the employee commenced participation at the earliest possible entry age under the plan and served continuously until attaining the normal retirement age under the plan. Revises provisions relating to minimum vesting standards to reduce, from ten years to five years, the number of years of service which a pension plan participant must complete in order to earn a nonforfeitable right to 100 percent of the participant's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. Permits multiemployer pension plans to retain the ten-year minimum vesting standard if such plans meet certain conditions, including complete reciprocity for workers who move from one regional pension plan to another within the same industry. Repeals a certain "class year plan" rule. Permits participants with three (currently five) years of service to elect, within a specified period to have their nonforfeitable percentage computed under the plan without regard to any plan amendment changing the vesting schedule. Revises minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements to provide for pension plan coverage of part-time workers. Revises the definition of "year of service," for purposes of minimum participation and vesting standards, to treat 500 to 1,000 hours of service per year by a part-time employee as one-half of a year of service. Provides that the date on which such employee completes such one-half of one year of service shall be the latest date until which the plan participation of such employee may be delayed. Includes service of at least 500 (currently 1,000) hours in determinations of years of plan participation for purposes of benefit accrual requirements. Establishes minimum benefit rules for integrated pension plans. Requires such plans to offer a minimum benefit without taking into account contributions or benefits under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, or any other Federal or State law. Sets forth formulas, based on specified percentages of employee compensation, for determining such minimum benefit in the case of: (1) an integrated defined benefit plan; and (2) an integrated defined contribution plan or an integrated simplified employee pension. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe necessary or appropriate regulations to carry out the purposes of such minimum benefit rules for integrated plans in any case in which the employer has two or more plans. Provides for distributions of accrued benefits of less than $7,000 to portable pension accounts (individual retirement accounts or individual retirement annuities). Requires a pension plan to distribute a participant's nonforfeitable benefit to a portable pension account if: (1) the plan is a defined benefit plan, or an individual account plan subject to specified funding standards; (2) the present value, as of the date of separation from service, of such benefit is less than $7,000; and (3) the participant elects in writing, after receiving a required notice, to have such benefit distributed to such portable pension account in a distribution which is excluded from gross income under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe by regulation the manner and form in which such election is to be made. Requires the plan administrator, upon being informed by a participant that the participant wishes to make an election pursuant to these provisions, to provide notice to the participant of: (1) the present value, as of the date of separation, of the participant's nonforfeitable benefit (with such present value to be deemed equal to the actuarial equivalent, as of such date, of the normal form of benefit under the plan); (2) the amount of the participant's benefit on the date of the participant's retirement payable under the pension plan at normal retirement age expressed in the form of a single life annuity under a defined benefit plan or in the normal form of payment under an individual account plan; and (3) the additional tax (under specified Internal Revenue Code provisions as revised by this Act) on distributions from, or disqualification, of the portable pension account before the date on which the participant attains age 59 1/2. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions relating to pension plans. Makes such revisions similar to those made to ERISA by title I of this Act with respect to: (1) continued coverage for certain workers over the normal retirement age; (2) a minimum vesting standard of five years of service (reduced from ten years), with the exception of multiemployer plans meeting certain conditions (including reciprocity); (3) repeal of the class year plan rule; (4) protection from changes in the vesting schedule for participants with three years of service; (5) coverage for part-time workers under minimum participation standards, minimum vesting standards, and benefit accrual requirements; (6) establishment of minimum benefit rules for integrated plans; and (7) distributions of accrued benefits to portable pension accounts. Revises provisions relating to additional tax on certain amounts included in gross income before age 59 1/2. Requires, in cases of early distributions or disqualification involving portable pension accounts to which accrued benefits from a pension plan have been distributed as provided under this Act, that the additional tax (for the taxable year in which the early distribution is received or the disqualification occurs) shall be equal to the amount of the early distribution, or of the disqualification, which is includible in gross income for such taxable year. Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility and ramifications of requiring private employee pension benefit plans to provide cost-of-living adjustments to benefits payable under such plans; (2) compile data and analyze the effect inflation is having and may be expected to have on retirement benefits provided under such plans; and (3) submit study results, with recommendations, within two years after enactment of this Act. Social Security Modernization Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to provide that the combined earnings of a married couple which are attributable to the period of their marriage shall be shared equally between them for purposes of determining the eligibility for and amount of OASDI benefits to which each spouse is or may become separately entitled. Credits the survivor of the marriage with 100 percent of the combined total wages for the period of the marriage. Provides that this Act shall not apply in specified cases where it would result in a reduction of OASDI benefits. Provides full benefits for disabled widows and widowers without regard to age. Enables an insured individual's spouse who has attained the age of 50 and is not entitled to any other monthly benefits to obtain a transition benefit for four months upon the death of the insured individual. Establishes the amount of such transition benefit at 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the insured individual or, if it is higher, 71.5 percent of the primary insurance amount of the spouse. Repeals the separate definition of disability applicable to widows and widowers. Permits the months of a widow's or widower's entitlement to Supplemental Security Income benefits (title XVI of the Social Security Act) on the basis of a disability to be counted towards the 24 months needed to become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) on that basis. Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Equity Act - Provides that a former spouse of a member of the uniformed services shall be entitled, unless expressly provided by a spousal agreement or court order, to an annuity: (1) equal to 50 percent of the retired or retainer pay of the member if married to the member throughout the creditable service of the member; or (2) equal to a pro rata share of 50 percent of such pay if not married to the member throughout the entire creditable service of the member. Requires that an election by a member not to participate, or to participate at a reduced level, in the Survivor Benefit Plan or to provide an annuity for a dependent child only must be made jointly with the member's spouse. Provides that such an election must be in writing. Allows a member who has a former spouse to jointly elect a spousal agreement with such former spouse or as provided under a court order to provide a survivor to the former spouse or to waive such an annuity. Treats a former spouse as a spouse for purposes of eligibility as a beneficiary, computation of annuities, and reductions in retired or retainer pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan if the member elects such treatment. (Present law treats a former spouse as a person with an "insurable interest" subject to certain restrictions and requiring larger reductions in retired or retainer pay.) Establishes a 24 month period during which members who were already divorced before the effective date of this Act may elect to have a former spouse covered under the Survivor Benefit Plan. Provides that a former spouse's share of retired or retainer pay shall be based on the gross amount of such pay. (Present law bases such share on the net amount of such pay after specified deductions.) Social Services and Child Care Assistance Act of 1985 - Title II: Dependent Care - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to set allotment amounts for FY 1984, 1985, and 1986 and each succeeding fiscal year. Allocates, from the allotment set for FY 1986 and available for any fiscal year, specified amounts for: (1) funding for a National Resource Center on Family Day Care; (2) grants to States which fulfill certain conditions with respect to the licensing, regulation, and monitoring of child care services; and (3) the provision of services in accordance with title XX. Provides that, of the amounts allotted for the provision of services, specified amounts shall be used: (1) for the training and retraining of human services personnel; (2) for the training and retraining in the prevention of child abuse of licensed child care operators; and (3) for the provision of child day care services to children who are abused or neglected, who are members of families receiving aid under title IV (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of such Act, or children who are members of specified low-income groups. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new title XII, School-Based Child Care Programs. (Redesignates the current title XII as title XIII.) Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1990 for grants to institutions of higher education for: (1) construction, reconstruction, and renovation of facilities, located at such institutions, to be used to provide child care services (free for students from families with incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level, and with a sliding-scale of fees based on income for other students participating); (2) child care services through vouchers for disadvantaged college students (with two-thirds of the participants to be low-income students who are first generation college students, and the remainder to be either low-income or first generation college students); and (3) child care personnel work-experience programs (which provide experience for students by arranging part-time employment for them in licensed child care programs). Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing authorities to assist them in providing child care services for lower income families. Requires a program report to the Congress within three years. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations. Title III: Insurance - Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act - Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in the consideration of applications for, or the granting of, insurance policies and the terms of such policies. Permits insurers who regularly provide insurance solely to persons of a single religious affiliation to continue to do so. Prohibits any insurer from establishing auto insurance rates for women or any particular group of women which are higher or lower in relation to the rates offered men or any similarly situated group of men, except for non-gender related risk-based reasons. Grants to States having insurance discrimination laws the primary opportunity to enforce the prohibitions of this Act. Permits an aggrieved person to file a civil action in State or Federal court against an insurer if the State has terminated all proceedings under State law. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court when there is reasonable cause to believe that a person or group is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the rights granted by this Act and that such denial raises an issue of general public importance. Authorizes the Court to: (1) order the defendant to amend any relevant contract to comply with the provisions of this Act; (2) require the defendant to pay punitive damages in addition to actual damages; and (3) award the aggrieved person reasonable attorneys' fees. Continued Access to Group Health Insurance Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require continuation coverage under group health plans for certain spouses, former spouses, and dependent children of employees insured under such plans. Makes such continuation coverage a requirement for the allowance of a tax deduction for employer contributions to group health plans. Provides that the spouse and dependent children of an insured employee may be entitled to five years of continuation coverage under a group health plan if the insured employee: (1) dies; (2) becomes separated or divorced from his or her spouse; or (3) becomes entitled to Medicare. Makes such coverage available only if it is elected within a specified period by or on behalf of the spouse or child to be covered. Sets forth notification requirements. Sets forth a special rule relating to collective bargaining agreements. Title IV: Employment - Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to: (1) conduct research for identifying and measuring wage discrimination; (2) assist any public or private entity in eliminating discriminatory pay practices; and (3) implement policies and procedures to prohibit employment discrimination. Requires the Commission to determine the number and nature of all charges filed under the Civil Rights Act of 1954 and to report to the Congress with a summary prepared pursuant to this Act. Requires the Commission to conduct a study in consultation with organizations representing Federal employees and analyze: (1) the procedures established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish classifications of positions in the competitive service; and (2) the actual practices of the Director and the heads of Federal agencies in complying with the principle of equal pay for work of equal value when establishing job classifications for employees. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress on its findings and provide a copy to the Director of OPM. Directs the Director to submit his comments on the report to the President and the Congress. Directs the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions contained in Executive Order Numbered 11246 against discrimination by Federal contractors. Requires the Attorney General, acting through the Office of Civil Rights, to report to the President and the Congress on actions taken to enforce the prohibitions against sex discrimination in compensation contained in title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order Numbered 11246, and other Federal laws. Requires Federal agencies responsible for submitting equal employment opportunity plans to include in such plans: (1) a review and identification of any discriminatory pay practices and any violation of the principle of equal pay for jobs of equal value; and (2) a plan for eliminating any such practices and remedying any such violation. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide, by contract with a consultant, for a report on discriminatory wage-setting practices and discriminatory wage differentials within the Federal position classification system and the prevailing rate (job grading) system. Defines "discriminatory wage-setting practices" as a practice resulting from lower rates of pay for female employees doing work comparable to that of higher-paid males. Requires OPM, within one month of receiving such report, to transmit a copy to the President and specified congressional committees, with written comments. Requires the consultant to submit such report to OPM and the Pay Equity Study Council (established by this Act) within six months after entering into its contract. Requires OPM, within ten days after the effective date of this Act, to establish a Pay Equity Study Council to assist in the selection of a consultant and comment on the final report. Requires that Council membership consist predominantly of representatives of labor organizations representing Federal female employees. Terminates the Council after it submits comments on the final report. Establishes a Commission on Employment Discrimination in the Legislative Branch. Directs the Commission to: (1) employ a nongovernmental consultant to study the compensation paid to Library of Congress personnel and analyze personnel policies of the Library; (2) evaluate the compensation system of the Library for compliance with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and make any recommendations needed to achieve compliance; (3) develop a plan for the application of title VII through the legislative branch; and (4) make recommendations to the Congress for improvement of personnel policies and practices in the legislative branch. Directs the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress 18 months after enactment of this Act. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of the final report. Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to invite each State having an approved plan under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to submit an application to establish and conduct a demonstration project for the purpose of testing whether the provision of mandatory education or vocational training (or both) for the caretaker parents of dependent children under six years of age in families receiving AFDC would enable such families to leave the AFDC rolls quickly and assist such parents in securing long-term gainful employment at earnings levels sufficient to maintain their families without public assistance. Requires any State desiring to establish and conduct such a demonstration project to submit an application to the Secretary within six months after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to approve ten of the proposed projects. Requires six of the approved projects to be located in urban areas and four to be located in predominantly rural areas. Prohibits the approval of a project unless: (1) it is of sufficient size and scope to demonstrate program and cost effectiveness and to permit the drawing of valid inferences for evaluation and policy recommendations; (2) it will be conducted for a period of not less than three nor more than five years; (3) it covers all caretaker parents in families which are eligible for aid under the applicable State plan and which include one or more children under six years of age; (4) it provides for participation by caretaker parents on a voluntary basis; and (5) it complies fully with all other requirements and will contribute to the purposes of this Act. Defines "caretaker parent". Directs a State, in conducting an approved demonstration project, to: (1) offer each caretaker parent in a jurisdiction involved an opportunity to participate in the project; (2) establish an individualized program for the education or vocational training of each participating caretaker parent; (3) permit such parent to receive education or training under the program so established (from the time the youngest child in the care of such parent is six months old, or earlier with a physician's written permission) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient, the parent is no longer a caretaker parent, or the family has become ineligible for aid; and (4) require the project to maintain support services, including child care, transportation, and health care services for each participant. Directs the Secretary to pay each State with an approved demonstration project 90 percent of the costs incurred by the State in establishing and carrying out such project. Requires the remainder of the costs incurred to be paid from non-Federal sources. Requires the education or training for caretaker parents in such program to meet the following requirements: (1) for caretaker parents without a high school diploma the education must lead to such diploma; (2) after receipt of such diploma (or in the case of an individual already having a high school diploma or better), the caretaker parent must participate in an approved post-secondary education program, an approved vocational education program, or a program of employment and training under auspices of the Job Training Partnership Act; (3) the award of an academic scholarship to a caretaker parent shall not result in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program, so long as the scholarship payments are made directly to the appropriate educational institution; (4) the education and training must include instruction in family management and life skills, employment and job search training, career counseling, and community-supported recreational activities; (5) appropriate English language and adjustment training must be provided for caretaker parents from immigrant groups who have language or cultural adjustment difficulties; (6) special training must be provided for physically handicapped participants; (7) education and training for each participant in the project must be provided for at least 20 hours per week and must be coordinated with available child care services; and (8) any caretaker parent who has completed all of the education and training required by this Act shall remain a participant in the project for 20 hours a week of job search and placement assistance (with coordinated child care) until either the parent is employed and self-sufficient or the family has become ineligible for AFDC. Provides that in the case of a caretaker parent who ceases to be a participant in the project because he or she has completed all of the education and training required by this Act and has become employed: (1) the parent will be provided with child care services, as necessary, without charge for a six-month period, and thereafter for a certain period subject to the payment of a gradually increasing portion of the cost of such services; and (2) the parent shall be considered for a 15-month period to be still a project participant for purposes of receiving Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) and shall thereafter be similarly considered to still be a participant for such purposes but subject to stated conditions. Requires all of the child care and transportation which is necessary for a caretaker parent to participate in a demonstration project to be included, without charge to the caretaker parent, as a part of the project. Requires each approved project to be designed so as to provide an effective demonstration of: (1) the planning and design of quality and cost-effective approaches to child and infant care; (2) the cost-effective utilization of existing publicly-funded educational, vocational, and other training programs; (3) coordination with other community service providers, including job developers; and (4) cost-effective and creative approaches to the utilization of transportation facilities. Prohibits participation in an approved project by a caretaker parent from resulting in any loss of eligibility or benefits under AFDC or any other public assistance program. Permits a State to make participation mandatory if: (1) it is necessary to operate a project in a cost-effective manner; (2) participants would not be disadvantaged financially or otherwise; and (3) children in need of assistance would not be disadvantaged. Provides that if any caretaker parent who is required to participate in a project refuses to undergo any education or training required by this Act or otherwise fails to participate in an approved demonstration project, without a reasonable basis for such refusal or failure as determined on medical, psychological, psychiatric, or other grounds by an appropriate licensed practitioner in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary (subject to a State being granted a waiver): (1) such parent's needs shall not be taken into account in determining need under AFDC with respect to the parent's family; and (2) any AFDC payments shall be made in the form of protective payments. Requires each approved demonstration project to have a voluntary advisory group to assist in developing the program and in monitoring the project. Sets forth reporting requirements (including reports to the Congress). Requires each State in which a demonstration project is located to submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require concerning a project. Women's Business Ownership Act of 1985 - Establishes the National Commission on Women's Business Ownership to review: (1) the status of women-owned small businesses nationwide; (2) the role of the Federal Government in aid to and the promotion of women-owned small businesses; (3) data collection procedures and the availability of data relating to women-owned businesses, women-owned small businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women; (4) other Federal initiatives relating to women-owned small businesses, including those relating to Federal procurements; and (5) special impediments suffered by small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Directs the Commission to recommend: (1) new private sector initiatives which would provide management and technical assistance to women-owned small businesses; (2) ways to promote greater access to financing and procurement opportunities for such businesses; and (3) other measures relating to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged women. Terminates the Commission on the date that it transmits its final report to the President and to each House of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Tax Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that the zero amount for heads of households shall be the same as the zero bracket amount for joint returns and surviving spouses. Increases the amount of the earned income tax credit from 11 percent to 16 percent of the first $5,000 of earned income. Provides for a phaseout of such credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes between $11,000 and $16,000. Provides that governmental payments shall be disregarded for purposes of determining support and maintenance of a household. Provides that any refund of Federal income taxes or advance payment made to an individual by reason of the earned income credit shall not be taken into account as income for purposes of determining eligibility for benefits or assistance under any Federal program or any State or local program financed in whole or part with Federal funds. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments for the amount of the earned income credit and the phase-out thresholds of such credit beginning in 1987. Allows a refundable income tax credit for: (1) employment related dependent care expenses; plus (2) expenses for the respite care of a dependent. Sets the amount of such credit at 50 percent of the sum of such expenses. Reduces such percentage (but not below 20 percent) by one percent for each full $2,000 amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $11,000. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such adjusted gross income amount. Limits the amount of employment-related expenses and respite care expenses which may be taken into account for purposes of such credit. Allows such credit for expenses incurred for the care of: (1) a dependent of the taxpayer who is under the age of 15; (2) a dependent of the taxpayer who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself; or (3) a spouse who is incapable of caring for himself. Repeals present provisions relating to the income tax credit for dependent care expenses necessary for gainful employment. Increases the amount individuals may contribute on behalf of their spouses for purposes of the deduction for retirement savings. Provides that no deduction from gross income shall be allowed to a taxpayer for entertainment expenses for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment incurred in connection with a facility which discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Exempts facilities operated by a religious organization where access is limited to members of a particular religion. Treats dues and fees paid to discriminatory facilities as nondeductible expenses. Requires the submission of a statement to the Secretary of the Treasury that a facility not open to the public does not discriminate in order for amounts paid to such facility to qualify for the entertainment expense deduction. Requires the posting of a public notice in the facility stating the nondiscriminatory policy. Permits the Secretary to revoke the acceptance of the statement of nondiscrimination. Requires the taxpayer to report on his or her income tax return any amounts paid or incurred for food, beverages, lodging, or entertainment in any facility which is not open to the public or does not serve the public in order to deduct such amounts from gross income.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1985
Fair and Complete Tax for Social Security Act of 1985 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the old age, survivors and disability insurance (title II of the Social Security Act) tax rates for employees, employers, and the self-employed through 1989. Sets forth a formula for determining such rates for years following 1989. Eliminates the contribution and benefit base from the computation of OASDI benefits and taxes. Directs the Secretaries of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Serivces to conduct a study with respect to such repeal. Permits any individual who is at or over retirement age to have himself or herself and his or her employer exempted from OASDI coverage and taxes. Provides that such election shall be inapplicable with respect to Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) taxes. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe appropriate regulations. Provides, in stages, for the elimination, by 1992, of the limitation on the amount of outside income an individual may earn while receiving benefits after attaining retirement age. Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to exclude from Federal budget totals and limitations: (1) the receipts and disbursements of the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal 0ld-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund; and (2) employment related social security taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to increase the amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY 1985 through 1987, for the surplus commodities program. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to reduce the cents-per-meal level.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Authorizes the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a monument on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Subjects the Fraternity's design and plans for the monument to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Directs the Secretary to: (1) select a site for the monument with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission; (2) prohibit its construction unless sufficient funds are available for its completion; and (3) provide for the maintenance of the monument upon its completion. Provides that U.S. funds may not be used to establish the monument. Directs that the authority to establish the monument is contingent upon its construction beginning within five years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Declares that the House will act expeditiously to implement this legislation.
![Official portrait of Rep. Crockett, George W., Jr. [D-MI-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000919_200.jpg)