United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-of-Wedlock Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families Title III: Child Support Enforcement Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending Real Welfare Reform Act of 1994 - Title I: Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients - Amends Part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require each State, as a condition of participation in the AFDC program, to establish a workfare and dependency reduction program meeting specified requirements. (Sec. 101) Sets forth program participation requirements for parents in the AFDC unemployed parent program and certain noncustodial parents, including a specified mix of weekly community work service and job search activities or benefits to wages program participation. Specifies participation requirements for each adult AFDC recipient in a single-adult family. Requires States to establish: (1) a community work service program under which a participating individual shall work for a public or nonprofit private sector organization; and (2) a benefits to wages program under which an individual shall work for a qualified private employer whom the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall pay a wage subsidy on behalf of such individual equal to the amount of AFDC allotment and the cash value of food stamp benefits the individual would otherwise receive. Sets forth penalties (including allotment reductions and eligibility denials) for individuals, including noncustodial parents, who fail to meet participation requirements. Prohibits participating organizations or entities from replacing any employed workers with participating AFDC individuals. Specifies payments to States for welfare and dependency reduction programs. Requires State plans to require custodial parents under 19 years old who have not successfully completed a high-school education to participate in an educational activity, either a high-school diploma or equivalency degree program or other training or work activities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for advance payments of the earned income tax credit to employees in a benefits to wages program. (Sec. 102) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny food stamp eligibility to any able-bodied individual belonging to a household otherwise eligible for food stamps if that individual has not performed at least 32 hours of work on behalf of a State, or local government, through a program established by that government, during the preceding month. (Sec. 103) Specifies job search requirements for AFDC applicants and recipients with children over five years old. Title II: Promotion of Marriage and Social Responsibility - Subtitle A: Welfare Benefits - Declares the sense of the Congress that: (1) marriage is the foundation of a successful society; and (2) in view of specified negative consequences of out-of-wedlock birth on the child, the mother, and society, the reduction of such births is an important government interest. (Sec. 201) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require State plans and State food stamp agencies, respectively, with specified exceptions, to deny AFDC payments for a child born to any unmarried individual under 26 (or later age, if the State so determines). Allows such payments if the child is legally adopted or if the child's custodian marries an individual who assumes lawful paternity or permanent legal guardianship and financial responsibility for the child. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require public housing contracts to provide for denial of housing and rental assistance in the same circumstances. (Sec. 202) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) and the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require similar denial of benefits with respect to any additional children born while the custodial parent was receiving assistance. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require reductions in AFDC payments to a family where a child has been born for whom paternity has not been established. Provides for such payments, notwithstanding such denial policy, for a child of up to four months old if some identifying information on the putative father is provided. Subtitle B: Grants for Assistance to Children Born Out-Of-Wedlock - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to provide for grants to States for programs to discourage out-of-wedlock births and to care for children born out-of-wedlock. Allows the use of such funds to: (1) establish or expand out-of-wedlock pregnancy reduction programs; (2) promote adoption; (3) establish and operate orphanages; and (4) establish and operate closely supervised residential group homes for unwed mothers. (Sec. 211) Prohibits payments to: (1) parents of out-of-wedlock children; or (2) such children if parent and child live in any conventional residential or community setting, including a relative's household or a household headed by the custodial parent. Subtitle C: Removal of Barriers to Interethnic Adoption - Prohibits any agency or entity involved in adoption or foster care placements and receiving Federal assistance from: (1) categorically denying any person the opportunity to become an adoptive or a foster parent on the basis of the race, color, or national origin of such person or of the child involved; or (2) delaying or denying the placement of a child for adoption or into foster care, or otherwise discriminate in making a placement decision, on such basis with respect to the adoptive or foster parent or child. Permits an agency to consider the race, color, or national origin of a child as a factor in making a placement decision if such factor is relevant to the child's best interests and is considered in conjuction with other factors. Grants any aggrieved individual the right to seek relief in the U.S. district court. Subtitle D: Tax Credit for Certain Low-Income Families - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an additional earned income tax credit for a married individual who: (1) has lived together with his or her spouse at all times during the marriage during the taxable year; and (2) has earned at least $8,500 in income for such year. Title III: Child Support Enforcement - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for the reporting of information relating to child support obligations of employees, including mandatory reporting of such information on W-4 forms. (Sec. 302) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require State agencies to: (1) maintain child support order registries; (2) make all pertinent State records accessible to any agency of any other State through the Interstate Locate Network; (3) give custodial parents access to State parent locator services to aid in establishment and enforcement of child support obligations against noncustodial parents; and (4) give noncustodial parents access to such services to aid in establishment of visitation rights. (Sec. 303) Provides for expansion of the Parent Locator Service. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Interstate Locate Network linking the Parent Locator Service and all State databases. Requires regulations governing information sharing among States, within States, and between the States and the Parent Locator Service. (Sec. 304) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to require States to have laws requiring employers to withhold child support pursuant to uniform income withholding orders. (Sec. 305) Requires the responsible unit within HHS to develop: (1) a uniform abstract of a child support order containing specified terms for use by all State courts; and (2) procedures providing for voluntary establishment or acknowledgement of paternity. (Sec. 306) Waives the application and genetic testing fees for any individual receiving child support collection or paternity determination services who has been denied AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance under this Act. Title IV: Specific Reforms in Welfare Spending - Amends the National School Lunch Act to reduce the income eligibility guidelines for reduced price lunches from 185 to 130 percent of the applicable family-size nonfarm income levels. (Sec. 402) Repeals the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Applies the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as if the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act had not been enacted. (Sec. 403) Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to repeal the mandates and authorities for empowerment zones and enterprise communities. (Sec. 404) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to reduce by 25 percent monthly benefits to AFDC families who also receive public housing benefits. (Sec. 405) Reduces the authorization of appropriations for social services block grants for each fiscal year after FY 1994. (Sec. 406) Limits specified welfare benefits, currently available to aliens, to U.S. citizens only. Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that States and local educational agencies should not be required to provide a free public elementary or secondary education to any individual who is not a U.S. citizen, a lawful resident alien, or an alien permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Requires a State or local educational agency to notify the Attorney General whenever it learns of a public school child who does not belong to any such category. Requires immediate deportation proceedings against such child. (Sec. 407) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) to direct the HHS Secretary to issue vouchers in lieu of cash benefits to each eligible child under 18 to cover the cost of certain medical expenses. (Sec. 408) Requires an eligibility review during the year after the 18th birthday of any individual receiving disability benefits. (Sec. 409) Requires a specified reduction of the authorization of appropriations for low-income home energy assistance for any fiscal year. Title V: State Options and Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC), the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to allow States the option to: (1) place a time limit on AFDC, food stamp, and housing assistance to any individual; and (2) apply that time limit to any household moving to a State from another State with such a time limit. (Sec. 502) Amends SSA title IV Part A (AFDC) to give a State the option to treat interstate immigrants under the AFDC benefit rules of their former State. (Sec. 503) Directs the Secretary of Labor, in cooperation with the States, to conduct ongoing evaluations of Federal and State job training programs. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 504) Amends specified parts of the Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require safeguards and information exchange among law enforcement agencies to ensure that fugitive felons and probation and parole violators do not receive Medicaid, AFDC benefits, food stamps, SSI, or housing assistance. Requires public housing agencies to furnish Federal, State or local law enforcement agencies, upon request, the current address of any assistance recipient identified as a fugitive felon or probation or parole violator. Title VI: Capping the Aggregate Growth of Welfare Spending - Specifies FY 1995 through 1996 and subsequent fiscal year caps on Federal spending on certain welfare programs. (Sec. 602) Directs the HHS Secretary to make welfare block grants to the States for aid to low-income households. Prohibits the use of such funds for abortions or for any counseling related to abortion. Sets forth general work, job search, and training requirements for aid recipients, as well as certain participation requirements for States. Denies cash or direct food assistance to young unwed parents as under title II of this Act, or to noncitizens, fugitive felons, or probation or parole violators. (Sec. 603) Terminates funding and State obligations under specified cash, medical, housing, energy, education, jobs and training, social services, and low-income community aid welfare programs as of the end of FY 1994. (Sec. 604) Dedicates to deficit reduction all Federal savings under the spending cap mandated by this title. Requires the adjustment of the present discretionary spending caps for the net increase in discretionary spending that results from the creation of the welfare block grant as a replacement for current welfare entitlement programs. (Sec. 605) Sets forth special rules, upon termination of the AFDC program, with respect to grants for assistance to children born out-of-wedlock. (Sec. 606) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) with respect to Medicaid eligibility criteria after enactment of this Act. Authorizes States to request a waiver to simplify such criteria. Requires the HHS Secretary to review and approve such requests only if Federal Medicaid expenditures will not be increased as a result.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Amendments to Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act Title II: Amendments to the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act Marine Fish Conservation Amendments of 1994 - Title I: Amendments to Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act - Amends the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act to declare that it is the policy of the Congress to: (1) assure that the national fishery conservation and management program encourages development of practical measures that reduce bycatch (the incidental catch, take, or harvest of certain fish, marine mammals, and other specified animals) to insignificant levels approaching zero; and (2) ensure that all State and Federal actions are consistent with the conservation and management of fisheries under such Act. (Sec. 105) Revises national standards for fishery conservation and management to require conservation and management measures to: (1) provide an adequate margin of safety to act as a buffer against overfishing; and (2) reduce bycatch to the lowest level practicable and avoid unnecessary waste of fish. (Sec. 106) Revises requirements for Regional Fishery Management Councils to direct the Secretary of Commerce to ensure that at least 25 percent of the appointed members of each Council are persons selected for their fisheries expertise, as demonstrated by university, environmental organization, or other non-user group affiliation and by past actions and accomplishments. Provides for removal of a Council member for cause upon the Secretary's determination of a conflict of interest. Requires that each Council decision be recorded by roll call vote registered and forwarded to the Secretary for review. Authorizes each Council to request the Secretary to initiate consultation with a Federal agency about certain agency activity which may affect the essential fishery habitat of a fishery under its jurisdiction designated in a fishery management plan. Revises financial disclosure requirements for Council members to include financial interests held by children, grandchildren, parents, or siblings. Requires any Council member holding a financial interest requiring disclosure to recuse him or herself from voting on or participating in all Council actions that would affect such interest. Authorizes Council members and the public to challenge, in writing to the Secretary, any vote of a Council member alleged to have been made in violation of such recusal requirement. (Sec. 107) Requires any fishery management plan to: (1) specify an objective definition of overfishing for each fish species or population involved in the fishery; (2) contain a recovery plan for any overfished fishery; (3) specify allowable gear types for the fishery, requiring the use of types which minimize bycatch and associated mortality; (4) provide for the stationing on U.S. fishing vessels of observers to gather reliable data; (5) establish a system of fees to pay for plan implementation; (6) assess the bycatch of all gear types used in the fishery; and (7) contain conservation and management measures to minimize or eliminate the adverse impacts of fishing gear and practices on habitat for fish. Requires the Secretary to review each existing fishery management plan for compliance with the definition of overfishing in this Act. (Sec. 108) Specifies plan review, plan preparation, and overfishing determination duties of the Secretary. Mandates the contents of regulations establishing a system to collect fees to pay for fishing vessel observers. Establishes a National Fishery Observer Fund. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a list of fish species, populations, and population complexes that are overfished and the objective definition of overfishing used to make that determination. Requires the Secretary to develop a research plan to identify and gather needed data on fish species, populations, and population complexes for which information is insufficient. Revises the approval voting requirements for a management plan for any fishery under the authority of more than one Council. Declares that any Secretary-prepared fishery management plan or amendment addressing a highly migratory species fishery, which was in effect on July 1, 1993, shall remain in effect until superseded by a plan or amendment prepared by the appropriate Councils and approved by the Secretary. Sets forth procedures for adoption of a recovery plan addressing overfishing with respect to fish species, populations, or population complexes subject to a fishery management plan. Directs the Secretary to provide for the elimination of bycatch through fees and incentive programs, including cooperative efforts with the Federal Government on research and development of selective fishing gear and other technological devices for the reduction of bycatch. Directs the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register and submit to the Congress a report on the cumulative impacts on fishery habitats of the actions authorized, funded, or carried out by Federal agencies, including an assessment of how fishery habitats identified in approved fishery management plans are affected. Directs the Secretary to review: (1) the feasibility of establishing a risk sharing pool through a reasonable fee to provide coverage for vessels and vessel owners against liability from civil suits by observers; and (2) the availability of comprehensive commercial insurance for vessel and owner liability against such suits. Requires the Secretary to establish such a pool unless such insurance is available to all fishing vessels and U.S fish processors required to have observers, and it will provide a greater measure of coverage at a lower cost. Requires the Secretary to establish an alternative observation program for vessels on which facilities for quartering of an observer, or for carrying out observer functions, are inadequate to ensure the health or safety of the observer or the safe operation of the vessel. (Sec. 109) Authorizes the Secretary or the appropriate Council (subject to the Secretary's approval) to adopt regulations as an interim measure in the absence of a fishery management plan. Prescribes general requirements for such regulations. Requires the Secretary to comment on and make recommendations concerning any actual or proposed action authorized, funded, or carried out by a State or Federal agency that may result in the destruction or adverse modification of the essential habitat designated in a fishery management plan. Prescribes guidelines for Federal agency response to such comments or recommendations. Authorizes the Secretary to prohibit any such Federal agency actions. Provides for: (1) citizen suits to enforce such Act; and (2) citizen petitions to compel the Secretary to make a finding or determination or take any other action authorized by such Act. Title II: Amendments to the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act - Amends the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 to require the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service (or his or her designee) to be one of the three U.S. Commissioners on the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. (Sec. 201) Prohibits any U.S. Commissioner from having a financial interest or from serving as an officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee with an organization with a financial interest in any catching, harvesting, processing, or marketing activity undertaken within any fishery over which the Commission has jurisdiction. Repeals certain knowledge and experience requirements, with respect to commercial and recreational fishing, for non-governmental Commissioners. Allows regulations to carry out Commission recommendations which may have the effect of decreasing any allocation or quota of fish to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1994
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit proxy voting by any committee or subcommittee member with respect to any measure or matter. (Currently, a committee or subcommittee can adopt a rule to permit a member to vote by proxy.)
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1994
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of Congress should have the opportunity to offer, debate, and vote on an amendment striking any employer mandate in any legislation to reform our health care system.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1994
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Defense to transfer on a nonreimbursable basis any excess industrial property to any nonprofit educational institution or training school when such entity's proposed use of such property will contribute materially to the national defense.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1994
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require pay-as-you-go estimates with respect to legislation implementing trade agreements to take into account increased revenue caused by economic growth resulting from such legislation to offset any loss in tariff revenues due to that legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1994
Sets forth the rule for the consideration of H.R. 300 (amending title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the earnings test for individuals who have attained retirement age).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
United States Botanic Garden Commemorative Coin Act of 1995 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue one-dollar silver coins to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the United States Botanic Garden; and (2) pay all surcharges received from such coin sales to the National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1994
Social Security Disability and Rehabilitation Act of 1994 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require individuals on drugs or alcohol to: (1) undergo, or be scheduled for, appropriate treatment for substance abuse if it is reasonably available; (2) comply with the terms of such treatment; and (3) have a qualified governmental representative payee in order to receive disability benefits under the social security disability insurance (SSDI) and SSI programs. Sets up a monitoring and testing program under each such title for ensuring such compliance, with benefits terminated or suspended in cases of noncompliance, and with all disability benefits related to substance abuse terminated after three years. Requires the proceeds derived from criminal activities to support substance abuse to be considered substantial gainful activity. Revises penalty provisions, with changes providing for the exclusion of SSDI and SSI program defrauders from such programs and other Federal health and social services programs. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) assure that every individual on drugs or alcohol who is receiving SSDI or SSI disability benefits be given high priority for treatment through entities supported by State substance abuse block grants; and (2) provide for the establishment of referral and monitoring agencies for each State for carrying out treatment requirements under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1994
Deficit Reduction Lock Box Act of 1994 - Establishes the Deficit Reduction Trust Fund consisting of amounts contained in deficit reduction lock box provisions of appropriations Acts. Reduces discretionary spending limits by amounts transferred to the Fund. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that amounts resulting from reduced spending under general appropriations bills be placed in the Fund. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to score all general appropriations measures as passed by the House and Senate and to publish such scorecard in the Congressional Record.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1994
Amends rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require a three-fifths majority vote to agree to any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that raises revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Insurance Reform Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business Subtitle C: Preemption Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law Title III: Malpractice Reform Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems (ADE) Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health Title VI: Antitrust Provisions Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants Health Reform Consensus Act of 1994 - Title I: Insurance Reform - Subtitle A: Increased Availability and Continuity of Health Coverage for Employees and Their Families - Requires each employer to make available to each eligible employee a group health plan under which: (1) coverage of each eligible individual with respect to such employee may be elected on an annual basis; (2) coverage is provided for at least the required coverage specified; and (3) employees may elect to have premiums collected through payroll deduction. Does not require employer contributions to the cost of coverage under such a plan. Provides for the exclusion of: (1) employers who have been employers for less than two years or who have no more than two eligible employees or no more than two eligible employees not covered under any group health plan; and (2) family members under specified circumstances. Specifies that a group health plan shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of this Act solely because a period of service by an eligible employee of not more than 60 days is required for coverage. Specifies that the required coverage is standard coverage, except that in the case of a small employer that has not contributed during the previous plan year to the cost of coverage for any eligible employee under any group health plan, the required coverage for the plan year is coverage under a standard plan and a catastrophic plan. Provides for a five-year transition for existing group health plans. (Sec. 1002) Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) compliance with applicable requirements through multiple employer health arrangements; and (2) coverage options under a State medical health allowance program. (Sec. 1011) Prohibits a group health plan from imposing (and an insurer from requiring an employer from imposing through a waiting period for coverage under a plan or similar requirement) a limitation or exclusion of benefits relating to treatment of a preexisting condition if: (1) the condition relates to a condition that was not diagnosed or treated within three months before the date of coverage under the plan; or (2) the limitation or exclusion extends over more than six month after the date of coverage, applies to an individual who, as of the date of birth, was covered under the plan, or relates to pregnancy. Specifies that, in the case of an individual who is eligible for coverage under a plan but for a waiting period imposed by the employer, the individual shall be treated as having been covered under the plan as of the earliest date of the beginning of the waiting period. (Sec. 1012) Requires each group health plan to waive any period applicable to a preexisting condition for similar benefits with respect to an individual to the extent that the individual, prior to enrollment in such plan, was covered for the condition under any other health plan. (Sec. 1013) Prohibits: (1) a multiemployer plan and an exempted multiple employer health plan from canceling or denying renewal of coverage under such a plan for an employer other than for nonpayment of contributions, fraud or other misrepresentation, noncompliance with plan provisions, failure to maintain minimum participation rates (in the case of a small employer) misuse of a provider network provision, or because the plan is ceasing to provide any coverage in a geographic area; (2) an insurer from canceling a health insurance plan or denying renewal of coverage other than as prescribed above; and (3) an insurer who terminates the offering of health insurance plans in an area from offering such a plan to any employer in the area until five years after the date of the termination. (Sec. 1021) Makes provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 applicable with respect to enforcement of this Act (by the Department of Labor). Imposes a civil penalty ($100 per day for each individual involved, subject to specified limitations) on the failure of an insurer to comply with the requirements of sections 1011 through 1013, unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) determines that the State has in effect a regulatory enforcement mechanism that provides adequate sanctions. Subtitle B: Reform of Health Insurance Marketplace for Small Business - Requires each insurer that makes available a health insurance plan to a small employer in a State to make available to each small employer in the State a standard plan and a catastrophic plan, with exceptions for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and if a State provides for guaranteed availability (rather than guaranteed issue). Requires each insurer that offers a standard or catastrophic plan to a small employer in a State to accept: (1) every small employer in the State that applies for coverage; and (2) every eligible individual who applies for enrollment on a timely basis. Sets forth provision regarding: (1) special rules for HMOs; (2) timely enrollment requirements; and (3) enrollment of spouses and dependents. Makes such requirements inapplicable in a State that has provided (in accordance with specified standards) a mechanism under which each insurer offering a health insurance plan to a small employer in the State must participate in a program for assigning high-risk small employer groups (or individuals within such a group) among some or all such insurers, if the insurers comply. (Sec. 1102) Defines "health plan" as a health insurance plan that: (1) is designed to provide standard coverage with substantial cost-sharing or only catastrophic coverage; (2) meets applicable requirements relating to guaranteed issue; (3) meets specified consumer protection standards; and (4) meets any participation requirements with respect to an applicable reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanism. States that standard coverage includes: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) inpatient and outpatient physicians' services; (3) diagnostic tests; (4) specified preventive services; and (5) specified inpatient hospital care for mental disorders. Sets forth coverage scope, including that there be no limits on the amount, scope, or duration of items number one, two, and three in the preceding sentence. Sets forth exceptions. Sets forth limitations on deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Defines a catastrophic benefits package. Provides for the determination of target actuarial values for standard and catastrophic coverage. (Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary to request NAIC to develop model regulations that specify standards with respect to requirements: (1) that insurers make available health plans; (2) of guaranteed availability of health plans to small employers; (3) relating to limits on premiums and certain consumer protections; (4) relating to limitation of annual premium increases; and (5) for standard and catastrophic coverage. Requires the Secretary to review such standards and, if NAIC fails to specify standards meeting such requirements, to promulgate standards. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) the application of health plan standards and consumer protection standards by the States; (2) the Federal role; and (3) consumer protection standards. (Sec. 1104) Sets forth provisions: (1) regarding limits on premiums and annual premium increases; and (2) requiring an insurer, at the time of offering a health insurance plan to a small employer, to fully disclose rating practices for health insurance plans, including rating practices for different populations and benefit designs. (Sec. 1106) Directs the Secretary to: (1) request NAIC to develop models for reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms for health insurance plans made available to small employers for whom an insurer is at risk of incurring high costs under the plan; and (2) review such models or specify models. Sets forth provisions regarding implementation of reinsurance or allocation of risk mechanisms by the States and the Federal role. (Sec. 1108) Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Private Health Care Coverage. Requires the Office Director to submit to the Congress annual reports evaluating health care coverage reform. (Sec. 1109) Authorizes the Director to conduct: (1) research on the impact of this subtitle on the availability of affordable health coverage for employees and dependents in the small employers group health care coverage market and other specified topics; and (2) demonstration projects relating to such topics. Requires the Director to develop: (1) methods for measuring the relative health risks of eligible individuals in terms of the expected costs of providing benefits under health insurance plans and, in particular, health plans; (2) a model for equitably distributing health risks among insurers in the small employer health care coverage market. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Preemption - Prohibits: (1) State benefit mandates for group health plans; and (2) State or local law prohibitions against two or more employers obtaining coverage under an insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1203) Preempts State restrictions concerning: (1) reimbursement rates or selective contracting; (2) differential financial incentives; and (3) utilization review methods. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the benefits and cost effectiveness of the use of managed care in the delivery of health services. (Sec. 1211) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow a limited exemption under preemption rules for multiple employer plans providing health benefits subject to certain Federal standards. Relieves exempted multiple employer plans providing medical care benefits of certain restrictions on preemption of State law. Treats such plans as employee welfare benefit plans. Allows commencement of new arrangements only if such exemption is in effect or an application is pending and the Secretary of Labor determines that provisional protection is appropriate. Sets forth exemption procedures, eligibility requirements, and additional requirements applicable to exempted arrangements. Requires certain disclosures to participating employers, maintenance of reserves, and corrective actions. Provides for expiration, suspension, and revocation of exemptions, and for review of actions by the Secretary. (Sec. 1213) Revises provisions relating to scope of preemption rules, and to treatment of single employer arrangements and of certain collectively bargained arrangements. (Sec. 1215) Establishes special rules for employee leasing healthcare arrangements. Treats such arrangements as multiple employer welfare arrangements except when they are multiple employer health plans. (Sec. 1216) Sets forth enforcement provisions relating to multiple employer welfare arrangements and employee leasing health care arrangements. (Sec. 1217) Sets forth filing requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements. (Sec. 1218) Provides for cooperation between Federal and State authorities in enforcing ERISA requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements with the limited exemption. (Sec. 1221) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the commonality of interest or geographic location requirement for tax exempt trust status for multiple employer health plans and insured multiple employer health plans if they meet certain requirements under ERISA and this Act. (Sec. 1231) Amends ERISA to direct the Secretary of Labor to prescribe an alternative method providing for a single annual report with respect to all employers who are covered under the same insured multiple employer health plan. (Sec. 1241) Provides for compliance with applicable coverage requirements through multiemployer plans and other multiple employer health arrangements. Subtitle D: Health Deduction Fairness - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a permanent extension and increase in the health insurance tax deduction for self-employed individuals. Title II: Preventing Fraud and Abuse - Subtitle A: Establishment of All-Payer Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program - Directs the Attorney General to establish a program to: (1) coordinate Federal, State, and local law enforcement programs to control health care fraud and abuse; (2) conduct investigations, audits, and inspections relating to the delivery of payment for health care; and (3) facilitate enforcement of provisions of the Social Security and other Acts applicable to health care fraud and abuse. Authorizes additional appropriations as necessary. (Sec. 2003) Establishes the Anti-Fraud and Abuse Trust Fund. Subtitle B: Revisions to Current Sanctions for Fraud and Abuse - Excludes from participation in Medicare and State health care programs any individual or entity convicted of: (1) fraud in connection the delivery of a health care item or service; or (2) a felony related to a controlled substance. (Sec. 2103) Subjects to a civil monetary penalty any individual or entity offering inducements to individuals to receive any service or supply from a particular provider. (Sec. 2104) Permits the imposition of intermediate sanctions in addition to the current option of termination, for Medicare health maintenance organizations. Subtitle C: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to establish a national health care fraud and abuse data collection program for the reporting of final adverse actions against health care providers, suppliers, or practitioners. Requires each government agency and health care plan to report to the Secretary any final adverse action taken against a health care provider, supplier, or practitioner. Subtitle D: Amendments to Criminal Law - Establishes a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment for knowingly: (1) defrauding any health care plan; or (2) fraudulently obtaining money or property in connection with the delivery of health care items, benefits, or services. Permits a payment of up to $10,000 to any person furnishing information relating to any such crime. Title III: Malpractice Reform - Subtitle A: Findings; Purpose; Definitions - Sets forth, for this title, findings, purposes, and definitions. Subtitle B: Uniform Standards for Malpractice Claims - Makes this subtitle applicable to any medical malpractice liability action brought in a Federal or State court and to any medical malpractice claim subject to an alternative dispute resolution system. (Sec. 3102) Prohibits bringing a medical malpractice liability action in either a State or Federal court unless there has been an initial resolution of the action under an alternative dispute resolution system. Directs the Attorney General to establish an alternative dispute resolution process for medical malpractice liability claims brought against the United States. (Sec. 3104) Sets limits on both noneconomic damages and punitive damages. (Sec. 3105) Provides for the periodic payment of future losses. (Sec. 3106) Limits attorney's fees. (Sec. 3108) Sets forth special provisions for certain obstetric services. Subtitle C: Requirements for State Alternative Dispute Resolution System (ADR) -Requires a State's alternative dispute resolution system, among other things to: (1) apply to all medical malpractice liability claims within the jurisdiction of the State's courts; (2) issue a written opinion resolving the dispute within six months of a defendant receiving notice; (3) qualify individuals who hear and resolve claims under the system; and (4) notify the appropriate State agency if there is a finding of malpractice, unless the provider contests the ADR decision. (Sec. 3202) Directs the Secretary to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Board in order to advise the Secretary regarding the establishment of State and Federal ADR systems. Provides for the certification of State ADR systems by the Board. Title IV: Paperwork Reduction and Administrative Simplification - Preempts State quill pen laws. (Sec. 4102) Provides for the confidentiality of electronic health care information. (Sec. 4003) Directs the Secretary to establish national goals for the health care industry concerning: (1) standardization for the electronic receipt and transmission of health plan information; (2) use of uniform health claims forms and identification numbers; (3) priority of insurers when benefits are payable under two or more health plans; and (4) availability of information among health plans when benefits are payable under two more plans. Requires the Secretary to promulgate requirements if the industry does not meet the goals. Provides for monetary penalties on any health plan that does not meet the Secretary's requirements. Title V: Expanding Access/Preventive Care - Subtitle A: Expanding Access Through Community Health Authorities - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary to operate a program under which States establish projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of various innovative health care delivery approaches through the operation of community health authorities. Requires a community health authority to be a nonprofit entity that: (1) serves a geographic area that includes those designated by the Public Health Service Act as medically underserved or as being in a health professions shortage area; (2) enrolls the Medicaid eligible; and (3) provides for the provision of at least preventive services, primary care services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, and other services. (Sec. 5002) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to migrant and community health centers for the development of health service networks to serve high impact areas, medically underserved areas, or medically underserved populations. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1999. Subtitle B: Expansion of Public Health Programs on Preventive Health - Authorizes appropriations, under the Public Health Service Act, for the following: (1) immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases; (2) prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis; (3) lead poisoning prevention; (4) preventive health measures with respect to breast and cervical cancers; (5) the Office of Minority Health Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; and (6) the Office of Minority Health; and (7) the preventive health and health services block grant. Title VI: Antitrust Provisions - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) provide for the development and publication of explicit guidelines on the application of antitrust laws to the activities of health plans; and (2) establish a review process under which the administrator or sponsor of a health plan may submit a request to the Attorney General to obtain a prompt opinion from the Department of Justice on the plan's conformity with Federal antitrust laws. (Sec. 6002) Authorizes the issuance of a certificate of public advantage by the Attorney General to each eligible health care collaborative activity if there is a finding that the benefits that are likely to result from carrying out the activity outweigh any reduction in competition that is likely to result and such reduction is reasonably necessary. Title VII: Prefunding Government Health Benefits for Certain Annuitants - Requires certain executive branch agencies to prefund government health benefits contributors for their annuitants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1994
Designates March 23, 1994, the 92d birthday of the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement), as Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1994
Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to provide that, for purposes of determining whether an individual is under a disability, engagement in an illegal drug-related enterprise demonstrates ability to engage in substantial gainful activity.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1994
Private Property Owners Bill of Rights - Requires Federal agency heads to: (1) comply with applicable State and tribal government laws in implementing and enforcing the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and the permitting program for dredged or filled material under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA); (2) administer and implement the Acts in a manner that least affects the private property owners' constitutional and other legal rights; (3) develop and implement rules and regulations for ensuring that such rights are protected when making any final decision that restricts the use of private property; (4) obtain the consent of the property owner and provide appropriate notice before entering privately-owned property in order to collect information on it; and (5) give the property owner an opportunity to review and dispute the data collected before using it to implement or enforce any of the Acts. Amends ESA and FWPCA to provide for administrative appeals of certain actions, including those related to the denial of permits and the imposition of administrative penalties. Entitles a private property owner deprived of 50 percent or more of the fair market value or the economically viable use of a portion of property as a consequence of a final qualified agency action to receive compensation upon request in accordance with specified guidelines. Amends ESA to require the Secretary of the Interior to notify all private property owners or lessees of property subject to a management agreement and provide an appropriate opportunity for their participation in such an agreement when the Secretary enters into it with any non-Federal person establishing restrictions on property use.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1994
Immigration Moratorium Act of 1994 - Title I: Immigration Moratorium - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict U.S. immigration levels to specified numbers of family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, and refugees. Title II: Prohibition of Federal Benefits for Certain Aliens - Prohibits direct Federal financial assistance and unemployment benefits to aliens who are not lawful permanent residents. Title III: Asylum Reform - Amends the Act to revise and expedite asylum procedures. Title IV: Citizenship - Restricts the basis for automatic U.S. citizenship for certain persons born in the United States to a mother who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident. Title V: Border Security - Increases the number of Border Patrol personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1994
National Voter Opportunity To Inform Congress Effectively (V.O.I.C.E.) on Term Limits Act of 1994 - Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to certify to the appropriate State election agencies for inclusion on the 1994 general election ballot in every congressional district a national advisory referendum that poses the question of whether the Congress should approve a constitutional amendment to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress can serve in office. Requires tabulation and certification of the election results under customary procedures. Makes the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate responsible for transmitting such results to each Member. Requires the results to be taken under advisement by the House and the Senate Judiciary Committees, with recommendations for response reported back to the Congress within six months of the general election. Requires the State election agencies to forward to the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate their comments or suggestions regarding changes or improvements in procedures for conducting national nonbinding referenda in future general elections.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1994
Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each committee report on each authorization or revenue bill or joint resolution of a public character to contain a detailed analytical statement prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office of the estimated impact of that bill or joint resolution on public and private sector employment over a five-fiscal year period.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1994
Prohibits the Department of Transportation or any other Federal department, agency, or instrumentality from requiring any State or political subdivision to convert highway signs to metric units.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1994
Expresses the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued to honor the 100th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States and that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service should make such recommendation to the Postmaster General.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Tax and Insurance Provisions Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Health Care Expenses Subtitle B: Insurance Provisions Subtitle C: Employer Provisions Subtitle D: State Plan Requirements Subtitle E: Federal Preemption Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Reforms Subtitle A: Medicare Subtitle B: Medicaid Title III: Health Care Liability Reform Title IV: Administrative Cost Savings Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws Title V: Anti-Fraud Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities Title VI: Antitrust Provisions Title VII: Long-Term Care Title VIII: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens Title IX: Increase in Assistance to Community and Migrant Health Centers from Residual Savings Consumer Choice Health Security Act of 1993 - Title I: Tax and Insurance Provisions - Subtitle A: Tax Treatment of Health Care Expenses - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for health care expenses based upon percentages of qualified health insurance premiums and adjusted gross income. Provides for employers to make advance payments of such credit. (Sec. 102) Allows individuals a tax credit for a percentage of contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Exempts such accounts from taxation. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts and makes such accounts subject to the tax on prohibited transactions. (Sec. 103) Disallows the use of a personal exemption for an uninsured individual. Terminates the medical expense deduction, the deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed individuals, and the exclusion for employer-provided health insurance. Subtitle B: Insurance Provisions - Part I: Federally Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Sets forth requirements for federally qualified health insurance plans, including coverage for acute medical care, cost-sharing, premium rating practices, and guaranteed issuance and renewability. Part II: Certification of Federally Qualified Health Insurance Plans - Requires States to meet standards for regulatory programs for the certification of federally qualified health insurance plans. Subtitle C: Employer Provisions - Requires employers to: (1) withhold health insurance premiums from employee wages and remit such premiums to the employee's chosen insurer; and (2) notify each employee of their right to claim an advance refundable tax credit for such premiums. (Sec. 122) Provides for the conversion and continuation of existing insurance plans to required coverage under this Act. (Sec. 125) Establishes the Benefits Cash Out Commission to propose a procedure under which individuals may cash out Federal health benefits. Provides for congressional consideration of such proposal prior to its implementation. (Sec. 126) Imposes excise taxes on employers and health insurance carriers for noncompliance with this Act. Subtitle D: State Plan Requirements - Sets forth requirements for States to meet in order to receive Federal funds for health care programs. Subtitle E: Federal Preemption - Preempts specified State laws concerning health insurance. Title II: Medicare and Medicaid Reforms - Subtitle A: Medicare - Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the feasibility of allowing future Medicare beneficiaries to elect to receive certificates with which to purchase private health insurance coverage instead of receiving Medicare benefits. (Sec. 202) Eliminates disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicare. (Sec. 203) Provides for a reduction in the adjustment for indirect medical education costs under Medicare. (Sec. 204) Imposes copayments for skilled nursing facility services provided under Medicare. (Sec. 205) Moves payment updates to January for all payment rates under Medicare's hospital insurance program. (Sec. 206) Accelerates the transition to prospective rates for facility costs in hospital outpatient departments. Subtitle B: Medicaid - Places a cap on Federal payments for acute medical services furnished under a State's Medicaid program. (Sec. 212) Provides for waivers from Medicaid requirements in order to establish acute medical services programs. (Sec. 213) Terminates disproportionate share hospital payments under Medicaid. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to States for programs to provide health insurance coverage, acute medical services, preventive care, and disease prevention services to low-income individuals. Title III: Health Care Liability Reform - Health Care Liability Reform Act of 1993 - Limits payments, damages, and attorney's fees in health care malpractice actions and claims. (Sec. 304) Declares that a manufacturer or seller of a health care product shall not be strictly liable for injury from: (1) a defect in the design of the product; or (2) a failure to warn or instruct regarding a risk posed by the product that was not known or reasonably knowable. (Sec. 305) Limits the amount of noneconomic damages that may be awarded in a health care malpractice claim or a health care product liability claim. Allows several liability for noneconomic loss and for punitive damages. (Sec. 306) Allows punitive damages to be awarded only if the claimant establishes that the harm suffered was the result of conduct manifesting conscious, flagrant indifference to the health of those harmed by the product. Disallows punitive damges against a product approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Title IV: Administrative Cost Savings - Subtitle A: Standardization of Claims Processing - Directs the Secretary to adopt standards relating to: (1) data elements for use in paper and electronic claims processing under health benefit plans and in utilization review and mangement of care; (2) uniform claims forms; and (3) uniform electronic transmission of the data elements. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary, two years after standards are adopted for classes of services upon determining that a significant number of claims for benefits for such services under health benefit plans are not being submitted in accordance with such standards, to require that all providers of such services submit claims to health benefit plans in accordance with such standards. (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the ongoing receipt and review of comments and suggestions for changes in the standards adopted and promulgated; (2) establish a schedule for the periodic review of such standards; and (3) revise such standards. Subtitle B: Electronic Medical Data Standards - Directs the Secretary to promulgate standards for hospitals concerning electronic medical data, including standards for transmission of such data and confidentiality of patient-specific information. Authorizes the Secretary to periodically revise such standards. (Sec. 412) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the sharing of hospital information under Medicare; (2) waiver of such requirements; and (3) application of such requirements to hospitals of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Sec. 413) Authorizes the head of a Federal agency to require a provider to present and transmit a required data element electronically in accordance with applicable presentation or transmission standard. (Sec. 414) Sets forth limitations on data requirements where standards with respect to data elements are in effect. (Sec. 415) Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory commission on the standards established under this part and operational concerns about the implementation of such standards. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle C: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information - Directs the Secretary to determine whether each State is developing and implementing a health care value information program that meets specified criteria and a specified schedule. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make grants to enable each State to plan development and initiate implementation of its health care value information program; and (2) recover the amount of such a grant by offset against any other amount payable to the State under the Social Security Act under specified circumstances. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 422) Directs the Secretary to take actions necessary to implement a comparable program in a State that fails to develop or implement a health care value information program in accordance with such criteria and schedule. Authorizes the Secretary to charge fees for the information materials provided pursuant to such a program. (Sec. 423) Directs the head of each Federal agency with responsibility for the provision of health insurance or health care services to individuals to develop health care value information relating to each program that such head administers and covering the same types of data that a State program meeting such criteria would provide. Subtitle D: Preemption of State Quill Pen Laws - Specifies that, effective January 1, 1996, no effect shall be given to any provision of State law that requires medical or health insurance records (including billing information) to be maintained in written, rather than electronic, form. Title V: Anti-Fraud - Subtitle A: Criminal Prosecution of Health Care Fraud - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose penalties upon a health care provider that knowingly engages in any scheme or artifice to defraud a person in connection with the provision of health care. (Sec. 502) Authorizes the Attorney General to pay a reward of up to $10,000 to a person who furnishes information unknown to the Government relating to a possible prosecution for health care fraud, with exceptions. Subtitle B: Coordination of Health Care Anti-Fraud and Abuse Activities - Amends the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) the application of Federal health anti-fraud and abuse sanctions to all fraud and abuse against any health insurance plan; and (2) treble damages for making or causing to be made false statements or representations involving Medicare or State health care programs, for illegal remuneration, and for false statements or representations with respect to the condition or operation of health care institutions. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with State and local health care officials, to: (1) identify opportunities for the satisfaction of community service obligations that a court may impose upon the conviction of a criminal offense involving Medicare or State health care programs; and (2) make information concerning such opportunities available to Federal and State law enforcement officers and State and local health care officials. Title VI: Antitrust Provisions - Exempts from the antitrust laws specified "safe harbor" activities related to the provision of health care services. Sets forth provision regarding the award of attorney fees and costs of suit to the prevailing party in an action based on a claim involving activity found to be exempt. (Sec. 602) Lists as safe harbors specified: (1) activities relating to health care services of combinations of health care providers with market share below a specified threshold; (2) activities of medical self-regulatory entities relating to standard setting or enforcement activities not conducted for purposes of financial gain; (3) participation of a health care provider in a written survey of the prices of services, reimbursement levels, or the compensation and benefits of employees and personnel; (4) activities relating to health care joint ventures for high technology and costly equipment and services; (5) activities relating to hospital mergers; (6) joint purchasing arrangements; and (7) negotiations. (Sec. 603) Directs the Attorney General to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting proposals for additional safe harbors and to review and report to the Congress on proposed safe harbors. Sets forth criteria in establishing safe harbors, including: (1) the extent to which a competitive or collaborative activity will accomplish an increase in health care access and quality, the establishment of cost efficiencies, and increased ability of health care facilities to provide services in medically underserved areas or to underserved populations; and (2) whether designation as a safe harbor will result in specified desirable outcomes. (Sec. 604) Directs the Attorney General to issue certificates of review for providers of health care services and to assist persons in applying for such certificates. Sets forth provisions regarding applications for, revocation of, and review of determinations regarding such certificates. Limits the disclosure of information. (Sec. 605) Sets forth provisions regarding notifications providing for a reduction in certain penalties under the antitrust laws for health care cooperative ventures. (Sec. 606) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review the safe harbors and certificates of review periodically; and (2) promulgate such rules, regulations, and guidelines as necessary to carry out provisions of this title. Title VII: Long-Term Care - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income certain amounts withdrawn from individual retirement accounts and certain employer cash or deferred arrangements to pay long-term care premiums. (Sec. 702) Provides for the nonrecognition of gain or loss on the exchange of any life insurance contract or an endowment or annuity contract for a long-term care insurance contract. (Sec. 703) Provides for the exclusion as a death benefit of any amount paid or advanced to an individual under a life insurance contract because such individual is terminally ill, or chronically ill and has been permanently confined to a qualified facility. Title VIII: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens - Makes aliens ineligible for programs of public welfare assistance, other than medical assistance with respect to emergency services. (Sec. 802) Amends the Social Security Act to require State agencies to provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service with identifying information on individuals unlawfully in the United States whose children are citizens for purposes of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program. Title IX: Increase in Assistance to Community and Migrant Health Centers from Residual Savings - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a program of grants to migrant and community health centers to promote primary health care services for underserved individuals. Authorizes appropriations with limitations. Requires a report to the Congress on such program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, upon the request of specified licensees, to extend, for a maximum of three consecutive two-year periods, the time required for commencement of construction of certain hydroelectric projects.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Telecommunications Infrastructure and Competition Title II: Communications Competitiveness National Communications Competition and Information Infrastructure Act of 1993 - Title I: Telecommunications Infrastructure and Competition - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to state that the duty of a common carrier to furnish communications services includes the duty to furnish that service in accordance with such regulations concerning openness and accessibility of common carrier networks as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may prescribe in the public interest. (Sec. 102) Requires local telephone exchange service carriers to provide equal access to and interconnection with the facilities of the carrier's networks to any other carrier or person providing telecommunications services reasonably requesting such equal access and interconnection, so that the networks are fully interoperable. Directs the FCC to: (1) establish and implement regulations for such equal access and interconnection; and (2) establish reasonable compensation rates to the carrier for such services. Requires the convening of a Federal-State Joint Board to determine equal access and interconnection standards. Preempts contrary State law. Requires local carriers to prepare and file tariffs with respect to services or elements offered to comply with such standards, along with supporting information. Requires the FCC to determine whether a telecommunications service or provider of such service is or will be subject to reasonable competition and to take appropriate action thereafter. Requires the establishment of a Federal-State Joint Board to recommend actions to the FCC and State commissions for the preservation of universal service. Directs the FCC, at least once every three years, to review standards and requirements concerning equal access, interconnection, and the preservation of universal service, and take appropriate action thereafter. Requires such review to include a study of rural phone service. Includes among the duties of a communications service provider the duty to furnish such service in accordance with regulations concerning functionality and reliability as established by the FCC. Directs the FCC to initiate an inquiry to consider rules and policies necessary to make open platform service (a switched, end-to-end digital telecommunications service) available to all subscribers at reasonable rates. Provides for regulations, oversight, and determination as to whether such requirements would result in adverse competitive impact. Directs the FCC to establish network reliability and quality performance measures to ensure the continued maintenance and evolution of common carrier facilities and service. Provides certain regulatory exemptions for rural areas. (Sec. 103) Directs the FCC to: (1) issue a final determination within 180 days after a complaint concerning an alleged discriminatory interconnection; and (2) provide for the expedited licensing of new technologies or services related to the furnishing of telecommunications services. (Sec. 105) Requires any application filed by a provider of telephone exchange service for authority to construct or extend a line to address the means by which such construction or extension will meet the network access needs of individuals with disabilities. Title II: Communications Competitiveness - Amends the Act to allow a common telecommunications services carrier to provide video programming (cable TV service) directly to subscribers in its telephone service area, as long as the video programming is provided through a video programming affiliate that is separate from such carrier (with separate books, records and accounts). Sets forth rules and regulations concerning interaction and business transactions between a common carrier and an affiliate with respect to the provision of video programming services. Requires the common carrier with a video programming affiliate to establish a video platform (a listing and description of video services offered) and to provide capacity (open channels) in its video programming for unaffiliated video program providers. Prohibits a common carrier from: (1) cross-subsidizing costs of telephone service with costs of video programming service among its customers; and (2) buying out a cable system located within its telephone exchange area and owned by an unaffiliated person. (Sec. 201) Directs the FCC to convene a Federal-State Joint Board to establish practices, classifications, and regulations necessary to ensure proper jurisdictional separation and cost allocation of establishing and providing a video platform and allocations of those costs between regulated and unregulated services, including affiliated video programming. Provides for: (1) the applicability of franchising and other requirements; and (2) rural area exemptions from certain provisions of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Family Tax Credit Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending Title VI: Elimination of Social Security Earnings Test Family, Investment, Retirement, Savings, and Tax Fairness Act of 1993 - Title I: Family Tax Credit - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax credit of $500 multiplied by the number of qualifying children who have not attained age 18. Places limitations on such credit and adjusts it for inflation. Title II: Reducing the Cost of Capital by Reducing Capital Gains Tax Rates and Indexing the Basis of Certain Assets - Reduces the individual and corporate capital gains rate from 34 percent to 15 percent. Reduces such tax to 7.5 percent for low- and middle-income taxpayers. Provides for the phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized deductions to take into account adjusted gross income which has been reduced by net capital gain. Requires indexing, based on the gross national product deflator, of the adjusted basis of certain assets (corporate stock and tangible property that is a capital asset of property used in a trade or business) that have been held for more than one year at the time of sale or other transfer, solely for the purpose of determining gain or loss. Provides for indexing the limitation on capital losses of noncorporate taxpayers. Title III: Neutral Cost Recovery - Allows the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1993. Disallows the interest deduction for such property to ensure that equity financing receives the same treatment as debt financing. Provides special depreciation rules applicable under the adjusted current earnings provisions of the minimum tax for 1994. Title IV: Increasing National Savings Through Individual Retirement Plus Accounts, Indexing for Inflation the Income Thresholds for Taxing Social Security Benefits, etc. - Allows individuals to establish individual retirement plus accounts with tax treatment similar to that for individual retirement plans. Makes contributions to such account nondeductible. Provides for qualified distributions from such accounts. Other than for general retirement purposes, including special purpose distributions made for the purchase of a first home and for medical or educational purposes. Prohibits special purpose distributions from being made during the first five years of the account. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for income thresholds in determining the taxation of social security benefits. Excludes income from individual retirement plans when determining modified adjusted gross income. Provides an inflation adjustment after 1996 for the maximum amount allowable as a deduction for retirement savings. Title V: Cap on Federal Spending and Establishment of Commission to Reduce Federal Spending - Establishes the Commission on Reduction of Federal Spending to: (1) recommend specific reductions in Federal activities to assure that spending does not grow at a rate in excess of two percent per year through FY 1998; and (2) report a bill to the Congress with changes necessary to achieve such reductions. Establishes an advisory council to assist the Commission. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to set forth sequestration procedures when the increase in annual Federal spending exceeds the amount resulting from an annual rate of inflation of two percent. Title VI: Elimination of Social Security Earnings Test - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the amount of outside income which beneficiaries who have attained retirement age may earn without incurring a reduction in benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1993
Truth in Voting Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide for downward adjustments in Appropriations Committees allocations and suballocations when bills are passed that reduce appropriations and require rescissions. Requires the Congressional Budget Office to provide scorecards for such measures. Amends rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit proxy voting by any committee or subcommittee member. Establishes conditions under which meetings of the standing committees and subcommittees may be closed to the public. Requires proceedings of open committee hearings or meetings to be open to television or radio broadcast and still photography. Applies the Freedom of Information Act to the Congress as such Act applies to executive agencies. Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule for the consideration of a measure commonly known as a "king of the hill" rule. Repeals rule XLIX (statutory limit on the public debt). Amends rule XXVIII to prohibit conference committee reports from funding any program or activity at a level higher than that contained in the bill or resolution as passed by the House or Senate or from funding any program not contained in such versions. Requires the President's annual budget to include estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for each function and subfunction in the current fiscal year and the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make the starting point for any deliberations on the budget in committee the estimated level of outlays for the current period in each function and subfunction. Requires the budget to include comparisons of current fiscal year and proposed subsequent fiscal year spending. Requires the Comptroller General to prepare an economic and employment impact statement to accompany each bill, resolution, or conference report reported by a committee or considered on the floor. Makes it out of order to consider any legislation that is not accompanied by such statement unless the point of order is waived by a two-thirds vote. Requires regulations and proposed regulations promulgated by Federal agencies to be accompanied by such statements as well.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1993
Expresses appreciation to W. Graham Claytor, Jr., upon his retirement from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), where he served as President and Chairman of the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: AFDC Transition and Work Program Title II: Paternity Establishment Title III: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States Title IV: Expansion of State and Local Flexibility Title V: Child Support Enforcement Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens Title VII: Controlling Welfare Costs Title VIII: Consolidated Block Grant to States for Food Assistance Title IX: Miscellaneous Responsibility and Empowerment Support Program Providing Employment, Child Care, and Training Act - Title I: AFDC Transition and Work Program - Amends part F (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program) (JOBS) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to give the JOBS program the new purpose of assuring that needy families with children obtain not only the education and training needed to prepare them for a life without welfare, but the work experience as well. (Sec. 101) Requires State JOBS programs to include a transition component and a work supplementation component that: (1) are each allowed to include any State work experience program approved by the Secretary; and (2) with respect to the first component, must include the State's job search program, and, with respect to the second component, may include the State's work supplementation or community work experience program. Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV to revise State AFDC plan participation requirements to incorporate participation in the two JOBS program components above under specified guidelines as a requirement for qualified individuals to receive AFDC. Imposes sanctions for a qualified individual's failure to participate in the JOBS program as required under such guidelines, which include a reduction in AFDC benefits and eventual benefit termination for repeated failures. Revises the exemptions from JOBS program participation requirements. Extends to all States the option to limit AFDC-UP. Increases State JOBS program and work program participation rates with regard to, respectively, AFDC-eligible individuals and unemployed parents. Provides for additional payments to States for JOBS programs. (Sec. 102) Amends community work experience and work supplementation program provisions. Title II: Paternity Establishment - Amends SSA title IV part A to: (1) provide for denial or reduction of AFDC for children whose paternity is not established; and (2) require unmarried individuals under 19 who are eligible for AFDC and are pregnant or with dependent children under their care to reside at home in order to receive AFDC. (Sec. 203) Amends SSA title IV part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) to require earlier specified paternity establishment efforts by States. Expresses the encouragement of the Congress for States to develop procedures in public hospitals and clinics to facilitate the acknowledgment of paternity. (Sec. 204) Increases the paternity establishment percentage. Title III: Expansion of Statutory Flexibility of States - Amends SSA title IV part A to give States the option to: (1) convert AFDC into a block grant program; (2) exempt themselves from otherwise mandatory denial of AFDC where either parent is a minor; (3) treat families moving interstate who apply for AFDC in their new State of residence (where they have resided for less than on year) under the AFDC rules of their former State of residence; (4) reduce AFDC for parents under 21 who have dropped out of school and dependent children who, without good cause, do not maintain minimum school attendance; (5) exempt themselves from otherwise mandatory denial of AFDC for additional children; (6) modify certain AFDC income disregard rules; (7) provide for a married couple transitional benefit in cases where an AFDC recipient marries an individual who is not a parent of the recipient's child, and the resulting family would become ineligible for AFDC by reason of the marriage; (8) disregard certain savings and income of a family on AFDC designated for education, training, employability, home purchase, or residence change in determining eligibility for AFDC; and (9) condition the receipt of AFDC on the recipient's attendance at parenting and money management classes and prior approval of any action requiring a change in the educational institution attended by the recipient's dependent child. Title IV: Expansion of State and Local Flexibility -Establishes an Interagency Waiver Request Board in order to provide a focal point within the Federal Government for the development and coordination of waiver requests to improve opportunities for low-income individuals and families. (Sec. 402) Prescribes contents of applications to implement Federal assistance plans, as well as the review, approval, implementation, and evaluation processes. (Sec. 405) Requires any entity applying for plan approval to establish a Public Private Partnership Committee to advise it on plan development and implementation. Title V: Child Support Enforcement - Provides for a national system for employee reporting of any child support owed, the obligee involved, and other specified related information on W-4 forms for employer withholding and distribution of support owed, and reporting of related information to the State involved for availability to other States through the Interstate Locate Network established under this title. (Sec. 502) Makes various changes with regard to State child support order registries, the Parent Locater Service, regulations for sharing child support information, withholding orders, and noncustodial parents with child support arrearages who are receiving certain public welfare assistance. Title VI: Welfare Restrictions for Aliens - Makes aliens (except refugees, permanent residents, and certain current residents) ineligible for various specified types of public welfare assistance, including non-emergency related assistance under Medicaid, food stamps, and job training assistance. (Sec. 602) Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require State AFDC agencies to provide information on illegal aliens to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Title VII: Controlling Welfare Costs - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act), and other Federal law to establish various specified measures for controlling welfare costs, including Federal spending caps. Title VIII: Consolidated Block Grant to States for Food Assistance - Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1977, National School Lunch Act, Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987, and other specified Federal laws and replaces them with a: (1) State food assistance block grant program to provide food assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families (eligible populations); and (2) new food coupon program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 803) Grants the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commodity Credit Corporation the authority to sell surplus commodities and foodstuffs to the States to provide food assistance to eligible populations. Title IX: Miscellaneous - Amends SSA title IV part A to require AFDC applicants and recipients to undergo any necessary substance abuse treatment as a condition of receiving AFDC. (Sec. 902) Amends SSA title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) to: (1) make ineligible for SSI benefits individuals receiving SSI on the basis of a disability resulting from illegal drug addiction who continue to use illegal drugs or refuse to be tested for them; and (2) make representative payee changes. (Sec. 903) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) conduct research projects to evaluate the impact of education and training programs on the ability of individuals to end participation in the AFDC program; (2) conduct demonstration projects and report to the Congress on whether providing benefits based on need through the use of electronic cards and automatic teller machines would reduce administrative costs and fraud; and (3) establish a commission to determine the cost and feasibility of creating an interstate system to compare the social security numbers of all AFDC recipients in order to identify those recipients receiving AFDC from multiple States. (Sec. 904) Amends SSA to require State AFDC applicants to participate in job search activities while the application is pending, unless a State by law exempts itself from this requirement. (Sec. 906) Public Housing Rent Reform and Empowerment Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with regard to the determination of income and rent charges. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allow, upon request, under certain circumstances, a public housing agency or resident management corporation to carry out a demonstration program to determine the feasibility and desirability of providing such entities with the authority to establish policies for agency-administered public housing projects, without regard to the public housing requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937. (Sec. 907) Amends SSA title IV part A to deny AFDC for certain children who have not received appropriate medical examinations and immunizations. Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act with regard to childhood immunizations. Requires the Surgeon General to issue and periodically revise recommendations for the immunization of children under age six.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1993
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) prohibit Federal election activities by political action committees (PACs); (2) limit House of Representatives election contributions from persons other than local individual residents; (3) limit soft money contributions; (4) permit political party contributions to challengers that match any campaign funds carried forward by the incumbent from an earlier election; (5) eliminate, in specified circumstances, limitations on contributions to candidates whose opponents use more than $100,000 from personal funds; (6) permit expenditures by labor organizations only if the organization meets specified requirements; (7) set forth a transition rule relating to excess funds for House of Representative candidates; (8) require disclosure of election related activity by corporations, labor organizations, and nonprofit organizations; (9) prohibit bundling of contributions to candidates by PACs and lobbyists; (10) prohibit transfers among noncandidate, nonparty political committees; (11) prohibit a candidate from establishing a leadership committee; and (12) prohibit contributions between principal campaign committees.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1993
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer's child or certain other relatives at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the deduction to $1,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for each account. Disallows the deduction for contributions to an account maintained for any individual aged 19 or older. Requires any account balance to be distributed after the beneficiary attains age 30. Permits an exclusion from the gross income of the contributor or the beneficiary of account distributions used to pay educational expenses of the latter. Exempts an account from taxation (except for the tax on unrelated business income of a charitable organization), unless a contributor or the beneficiary engages in specified prohibited transactions. Imposes a ten percent surtax on distributions not used for educational purposes. Requires the account trustee to report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's beneficiary concerning the account. Imposes a penalty for failure to report. Allows taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize deductions to deduct for contributions to an education savings account. Imposes penalty taxes in connection with excess contributions or prohibited transactions associated with an account. Exempts from annual contribution limitations distributions from education savings accounts into individual retirement accounts. Excludes from gross income distributions from individual retirement accounts into education savings accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1993
Federal Mandate Reduction, Reform, and Budget Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to set forth reporting requirements for the Office of Management and Budget and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) with respect to reducing the direct costs to States and local governments of complying with Federal mandates. Requires concurrent resolutions on the budget to provide for such reductions until such costs do not exceed three percent of the estimated gross national product for the same fiscal year as the costs will be incurred. Requires CBO to prepare an analysis of mandated costs for States and local governments for each public bill or resolution reported in the Congress (except those from Appropriations Committees). Requires a similar analysis in the President's annual budget submissions. Requires initial regulatory flexibility analyses for proposed rules that establish or implement new Federal mandates to contain a description of the nature and amount of monetary costs to be incurred by State and local governments. Requires Federal agencies to prepare a cost estimate and cost benefit analysis of such mandates that would cost State and local governments at least $10 million for a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Medical Savings Accounts Title II: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information Health Care Savings Plan Act of 1993 - Title I: Medical Savings Account - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals a tax deduction for contributions made to a medical care savings account established for the benefit of an eligible individual. Defines an eligible individual as: (1) one who is not covered by an employer-provided group health plan; or (2) one who is covered by such a plan which is a qualified catastrophic coverage health plan and is not covered by any other health plan. Allows penalty-free withdrawals from such accounts to the extent that amounts in such accounts exceed $15,000. Allows such deduction in arriving at adjusted gross income. Excludes employer contributions to such accounts from employment taxes. Establishes an excise tax for excess contributions to medical care savings accounts and makes such accounts subject to the tax on prohibited transactions. Allows the transfer of unused amounts in flexible spending accounts of cafeteria plans to medical savings accounts. Allows the full deduction for medical and dental expenses for amounts paid for qualified catastrophic coverage health plans. Title II: Development and Distribution of Comparative Value Information - Requires each State to develop and implement information programs regarding comparative health values for purchasers of health care. Makes grants available for the development of such programs. Requires Federal implementation of a program for any State that does not develop or continue to implement such a program. Requires the dissemination of comparative value information relative to Federal programs of health insurance and health care services. Requires the development of model systems to facilitate the gathering and analyzing of data on health care cost, quality, and outcome with respect to health insurance plans and hospitals. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1993
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in the case of specified contaminants listed in the Federal Register for which national primary drinking water regulations have not been promulgated, to: (1) publish maximum contaminant level goals and promulgate such regulations for those contaminants that occur in drinking water and are of public health concern; and (2) eliminate monitoring, compliance, and enforcement requirements for those contaminants that do not occur in drinking water at levels of public health concern. (Current law requires the promulgation of such goals and regulations for specified numbers of such contaminants by certain dates.) Directs the Administrator to promulgate such goals and regulations for new contaminants every five years. Requires the Administrator to establish in each national primary drinking water regulation best technology treatment techniques for public water systems serving fewer than 1,000, between 1,000 and 10,000, and more than 10,000 people, respectively. Directs the Administrator to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for radionuclides, disinfection and corrosion byproducts, and sulfate. Revises provisions concerning variances from national drinking water regulations to permit the issuance of a variance by a State only if the water system cannot afford to install the best available technology to meet the maximum contaminant level and it is not feasible for the system to connect with another source of water that will meet the standards. Requires variances to be reviewed by the State at least every three years. Repeals provisions that authorize States to exempt public water systems from requirements respecting maximum contaminant levels or treatment techniques. Prohibits treated drinking water from being removed from a public water system or routed through any device or pipes outside the system and returned to the system. Includes such action in the definition of "tampering," a violation for which criminal penalties are imposed. Makes such prohibition inapplicable to pipes and devices totally within the control of one or more public water systems or to connections between water mains. Requires (currently, authorizes) the Administrator to conduct research relating to diseases and other impairments resulting from contaminants in drinking water or to the provision of a safe supply of drinking water. Authorizes appropriations. Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants for State public water system supervision programs. Requires the Administrator to promulgate revised regulations every five years that list up to 30 unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. Directs the Administrator to assemble a national drinking water occurrence data base to include information on the occurrence of regulated and unregulated contaminants.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 1993
Amends the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 to delay the effective date of the change in the point of imposition of the tax on diesel fuel from January 1, 1994, to: (1) July 1, 1994; or (2) the 60th day after final regulations are prescribed. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow vendors of diesel fuel sold for any nontaxable use to claim tax refunds on behalf of ultimate users. Provides a similar rule for vendors of gasoline sold to State and local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1993
Crime Victims' Restitution Act of 1993- Amends the Federal criminal code to require (current law authorizes) the court to order restitution of the victim when a convicted defendant is being sentenced for specified offenses. Authorizes a court to order restitution of any person who, as shown by a preponderance of the evidence, was harmed physically, emotionally, or pecuniarily by unlawful conduct of the defendant during the offense or during the course of a scheme, conspiracy, or pattern of unlawful activity related to the offense. Directs the court: (1) to order restitution in the full amount of the victim's losses without consideration of the economic circumstances of the offender or the fact that a victim is entitled to receive compensation from insurance or any other source; and (2) upon determination of the amount owed to each victim, to specify in the restitution order the manner of, and schedule for, restitution in consideration of the financial resources and other assets, projected earnings and other income, and financial obligations of the offender. Specifies that: (1) a restoration order may direct the offender to make a single, lump-sum payment, partial payments at specified intervals, or such in-kind payments as may be agreeable to the victim and the offender; and (2) such in-kind payments may be in the form of the return or replacement of property, or services rendered to the victim or another person or organization. Provides that when the court finds that more than one: (1) offender has contributed to the loss of a victim, the court may make each offender liable for payment of the full amount or may apportion liability among the offenders to reflect the level of contribution and economic circumstances of each offender; and (2) victim has sustained a loss requiring restitution by an offender, the court shall order full restitution of each victim but provide for different payment schedules to reflect the economic circumstances of each victim. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) compensation with respect to losses from insurance or other sources; (2) set-offs against amounts later recovered as compensatory damages by the victim in Federal and State civil proceedings; and (3) payment by the offender to the clerk of the court for accounting and payment in accordance with this Act. Specifies that a restitution order shall constitute a lien against all property of the offender. Makes compliance with a restitution order a condition of any probation, parole, or other form of release of an offender. Specifies actions the court may take, including revocation of probation or supervised release, if a defendant fails to comply. Provides for enforcement of restitution orders. Authorizes: (1) a victim or the offender to petition the court to modify a restitution order in view of a change in the economic circumstances of the offender; and (2) the court to refer any issue arising in connection with a proposed restitution order to a magistrate or special master for proposed findings of fact and recommendations as to disposition, subject to a de novo determination of the issue by the court.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1993
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Justice should repudiate its reinterpretation of Federal child pornography laws, defend the conviction won in lower courts in Knox v. United States, and vigorously prosecute sexual exploitation of children.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1993
Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers Employment Registration Act of 1993 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Governor of each State (and the chief executive officer of each U.S. territory) that receives drug control and system improvement formula grants to: (1) submit to an officer or agency designated by the Attorney General (designee) a list of all law enforcement and correctional officers who held such office in such State or territory on or since January 1, 1990 (including their dates of birth, social security numbers, Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint identification numbers, dates of appointment as officers, names and addresses or National Crime Information Center numbers of the appointing or employing agencies, and dates such service ended); (2) update and supplement such list; and (3) notify the designee of an officer's employment, appointment, or separation. Directs each State, territory, or political subdivision to require all applicants for such positions before beginning employment to: (1) disclose all prior service or employment as an officer; and (2) submit a written authorization and request for release of information. Directs the Attorney General, when a prospective employer obtains an officer's request for release of information, to release data collected pursuant to this Act to the employer. Makes agencies or agency administrators who submit employment or officer certification data pursuant to this Act immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences, except upon a showing of lack of good faith by clear and convincing evidence.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1993
Provides that any comprehensive health care reform legislation should be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives under an open rule that authorizes any Representative to offer one or more amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1993
Prohibits Department of Defense funds from being obligated or expended for activities of the armed forces participating in, or operating in support of, the United Nations-led force in Somalia.
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